977.3 

C85c    CRASKE,  HENRY 

cop. 2 

A  COMPLETE  AND  AUTHEN- 
TIC HISTORY  OF  THE 
CAMPAIGN  IN  WHICH  "THE 
MIGHTY  SLEEPER11  WAS 
DEFEATED  / 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 
Of    ILLINOIS 


IIL«  WSTOWNl  SURVEY 


THE  HERO 

OF  THE 

THIRTY- FOURTH. 


1 1 ,  i  -.UHTK^VT J-:  i  >. 


i:  CITIZEN  STE/M  BOOK  AND  JOB   PRINTING   HOUSE,    RUSHVILLE,    ILL. 


THE  AUTHOR, 


A  COMPLETE  AND  AUTHENTIC 

History  of  the  Campaign 


IN  WHICH 


,, 


mi     ir  n 

Hie  Miflity 


WAS  DEFEATED 

IN  THE 

34th  Senatorial  District  of  Illinois, 

WHICH   CULMINATED   IN   THE 

Re-election  of  Hon.  JOHN  A.  LOGAN 

TO  THE  UNITED-STATES  SENATE. 


By  HENRY  CRASKE, 

THE  ORIGINATOR  AND  ORGANIZER 
—OF — 

"THE  MOST  DARING  PIECE  OF  POLITICAL  STRATEGY" 

EVER  CONCEIVED  AND  "SO   SUCCESSFULLY  EXECUTED 
SINCE  THE  DAYS  OP  ALEXANDER  THE  GREAT." 


PUBLISHED  BY 

ONE  OF  THE  "FINE  WORKERS," 
RUSHVILLE,  ILLINOIS. 

1885. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1885,  by  HENRY 

CRASKB,  in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 

All  rights  reserved. 


. 

-^ 

L> 


TO  THAT  MAN  OF  THE  PEOPLE, 

NOBLE   PATRIOT,  GRAND    STATESMAN, 

GALLANT  GENERAL  AND  FRIEND  OF  THE  SOLDIER, 

JOHN  A.  LOGAN, 

THIS  LITTLE  VOLUME  IS 
DEDICATED. 


PREFACE. 

At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  many  friends,  who 
expressed  a  desire  that  a  history  be  written  of  the 
memorable  campaign  which  was  fought  to  the  end 
on  the  6th  day  of  May,  1885,  in  the  Thirty-Fourth 
Senatorial  District  of  Illinois  (composed  of  the  coun- 
ties of  Cass,  Mason  Menard  and  Schuyler),  and  which 
resulted  in  the  election  of  a  Republican  to  the  Thirty- 
Fourth  General  Assembly,  from  a  District  that,  in 
the  Presidential  campaign  of  1884,  gave-  a  plurality 
of  over  2,000  and  a  majority  of  nearly  1,800  for  the 
Democratic  electors ;  and  believing  so  gallant  a  fight 
against  such  overwhelming  odds  was  successful  solely 
from  the  magnetizing  and  electrifying  influence  of  the 
free  use  of  the  name  of  John  A.  Logan,  the  author 
has  determined  to  present  the  facts  in  the  best  manner 
his  humble  ability  will  permit. 

In  collecting  the  facts  for  this  little  volume,  the 
magnitude  of  the  grand  achievement  has  been  more 
forcibly  impressed  upon  me,  showing  the  necessity 
of  preserving  a  record  of  the  events  which  led  to  the 
victory. 

The  belief  that  the  people,  generally,  have  a  desire 
to  learn  the  ways  and  means  used  to  accomplish  such 
a  splendid  result  is  the  reason  these  pages  have  been 
written. 

Trusting  this  little  volume  will  meet  the  favor  of 
a  generous  public,  it  is  respectfully  submitted  by 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ORIGIN  OF  THE  PLAN. 

GENTLEMEN:  According  to  promise,  I  will  endeavor 
to  write  up  for  yon  a  correct  account  of  the  plan  and 
campaign  by  which  a  Republican  was  elected  to  fill 
the  vacancy  in  the  Thirty-Fourth  General  Assembly 
caused  by  the  death  of  Representative  J.  Henry  Shaw, 
of  Beardstown,  Avho  died  on  the  12th  of  April,  at  the 
Leland  hotel  in  Springfield. 

In  pursuance  of  law,  the  Governor,  on  April  13th, 
issued  his  proclamation  calling  a  special  election  in 
the  Thirty-Fourth  Senatorial  District  for  May  6th. 
On  "Wednesday,  the  15th  April,  while  thinking  over 
the  situation  as  developed  from  the  fact  that  Repre- 
sentative Sittig  had  stated  in  the  General  Assembly 
that  he  was  paired  with  Shaw  until  his  successor  shall 
have  been  elected,  it  occured  to  me  that  it  would  be  a 
grand  event  for  the  Republican  party,  and  a  very 
great  surprise  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  also  to 
Representative  Sittig,  if  a  Republican  should  be 
elected  to  succeed  Mr.  Shaw.  With  this  in  view,  I 
determined  to  write  a  plan  and  send  it  to  General 
Logan  to  see  what  he  thought  of  the  project.  I  be- 
lieved the  Republicans  of  the  State,  and  also  the 
Republicans  of  the  Nation,  desired,  above  all  things, 
that  the  Legislature  of  Illinois  should  elect  to  the 
United  States  Senate  that  gallant  soldier,  grand 


6  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

statesman,  and  man  of  the  people,  John  A.  Logan, 
the  man  who  to-day  is  the  central  figure  in  American 
politics,  and,  undoubtedly,  is  the  representative  man  of 
America.  Believing  this,  and  being  inspired  with  the 
thought  that  it  was  possible  to  elect  a  Republican  to 
the  Legislature,  thereby  insuring  the  election  of  our 
candidate  to  the  United  States  Senate,  I  wrote  the 
following  plan: 

Original  plan  first  sent  to  General  Logan  on  April 
16,  1885: 

RrsiiviLLE,  ILL.,  April  16,  1885. 
Hos.  JOHN  A.  LOGAK,  Springfield,  111. 

Dor  >'//•;    TTo,  ex-members  of  the 

army,  feel  that  in  you  the  poor  soklic-rs  have  a  champion  who 
will  fight  their  cause,  as  perhaps  no  other  man  in  this  Nation 
can  or  will;  and  for  this  reason  I  submit  a  plan  to  you  which  I 
think,  if  properly  worked,  will  turn  the  enemy's  Hank  and  put 
him  to  utter  rout. 

My  plan  is,  for  you  to  select  a  man  in  each  county  of  the  dis- 
trict, whom  .you  know  you  can  depend  upon;  he  in  turn  to  select 
a  man  in  each  school  district;  who  in  turn  will  select  not  more 
than  five  staunch  Republicans  whoso  duty  it  will  be  to  see  every 
true  Republican  in  their  district  who  can  be  depended  on  to  keep 
it  secret,  and  thus  secure  the  attendance  of  all  Republican  vob  r-< 
at  the  polls  at  from  three  to  five  o'clock  p.  M.,  according  to  si//,'  of 
town  or  precinct;  and  with  the  apparent  apathy  that  will  seem  to 
be  in  the  Republican  ranks,  hilling  the  enemy  into  fancied 
security,  thereby  electing  a  Republican  Representative. 

My  further  plan  is  to  have  all  the  tickets  printed  at  one  office. 

I  suggest  that  you  call  a  caucus  to  select  the  candidate  for 
Representative  from  any  county  in  the  district  outside  of  the 
county  of  Schuyler. 

I  refer  you  to  Representative  Logsdon  as  to  who  I  am. 

If  you  think  this  worthy  of  favorable  consideration,  I  shall  be 
pleased  to  assist,  and  endeavor  to  carry  to  a  successful  issue  the 
result  desired.  I  remain  yours,  verv  respectfully, 

HENRY  CRASKE. 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  PLAN.  7 

I  received  the  following  letter  from  General  Logan 
at  twelve  o'clock  M.,  April  18th: 

LELAND  HOTEL,  SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.,  April  17,  1885. 
Dear  Sir:    Your  letter  received  and  contents  noted.     I  think 
your  plan  a  good  one  and  wish  the  Republicans  in  your  district 
might  go  to  work,  in  a  quiet  way,  and  elect  a  Republican. 

Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  A.  LOGAK 
CHASKE,  Rushville,  111. 


On  Saturday,  April  18th,  the  Hon.  Perry  Logsdon, 
of  Rushville,  111.,  Representative  to  the  Thirty-Fourth 
General  Assembly,  came  into  my  place  of  business. 
Of  him  I  'made  the  inquiry  as  to  whether  General 
Logau  had  said  anything  to  him  about  a  plan  that  I 
had  forwarded  on  the  16th  inst.  Mr.  Logsdon  stated 
that  he  had  not  seen  the  General.  I  handed  &  copy  of 
the  plan  to  him.  He  read  it  through  very  carefully, 
being  the  first  man  to  read  it  in  my  presence.  When 
through  reading  it,  I  said  to  him,  "What  do  you  think 
of  it?"  He  answered,  "I  think  it  an  inspiration,  and 
cannot  help  being  a  success,  if  there  are  no  blunders 
made  in  its  execution."  I  told  him  that  I  thought  it 
would  take  some  money  to  carry  the  plan  out  success- 
fully, as  it  would  require  time  to  explain  it,  and  a 
great  deal  of  special  effort  to  induce  the  Republican 
voters  to  come  out  and  vote  011  the  6th.  Their  hope- 
less minority  made  it  seem  an  impossibility  for  them 
to  bo  victorious  in  this  Senatorial  District. 

Mr.  Logsdon  promised  his  assistance  and  hearty 
co-operation  in  carrying  forward  the  plan  to  a  success- 
ful issue. 

On  the  evening  of  the  18th,  W.  I.  Larash,  of  Rush- 
ville, editor  of  The  Schuyler  Citizen,  was  handed  a 


8  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER.'' 

copy  of  the  plan  which  had  been  sent  General  Logan. 
He  was  asked  to  read  it  and  give  me  his  opinion  of  it, 
he  being  the  second  person  who  had  read  the  plan  in 
my  presence.  He  stated  that  if  it  could  be  worked 
successfully  it  would  convulse  the  Nation. 

I  then  showed  him  the  letter  from  General  Logan, 
dated  April  17.  We  read  the  letter,  considered  it  in 
all  its  bearings,  and  talked  over  the  selection  of  the 
men  to  act  as  township  committeemen.  We  felt  that 
the  grand  result  was  almost  accomplished.  Mr. 
Larash  said  that  the  Democrats  would  say:  "It  was  a 
d— d  dirty  trick." 

Then  doubts  would  come  over  the  spirit  of  our 
dream.  We  read  the  subject  matter  over  again  and 
agreed  that  it  looked  fine  on  paper.  We  again  became 
enthusiastic.  As  our  meeting  had  lasted  till  a  very 
late  hour,  it  being  nearly  Sunday  morning,  we  agreed 
to  adjourn. 

On  Monday,  the  20th  of  April,  I  invited  the  Rev. 
Fletcher  M.  Sisson,  pastor  of  the  First  M.  E.  Church, 
•into  my  room,  and  read  the  plan;  also  read  General 
Logan's  letter,  withholding  the  name.  He  was  asked 
what  he  thought  of  the  plan,  and  of  the  letter.  He 
said  he  thought  the  plan  was  a  good  one,  and  it  would 
be  a  grand  good  thing  if  it  should  prove  a  success. 

I  then  told  him  the  plan  had  been  sent  to  John  A. 
Logan,  and  the  letter  read  was  his  answer.  He  stated 
that  the  letter  showed  very  plainly  that  the  General 
had  not  much  faith  that  the  plan  could  be  successfully 
carried  out;  but  still  was  willing  to  encourage  the 
effort  by  approving  the  plan.  The  more  Eev.  Sisson 
thought  of  it,  the  more  enthusiastic  he  became.  This 
was  very  encouraging. 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  PLAN.  9> 

I  expected  to  hear  something  further  from  General 
Logan.  In  the  meantime  it  was  very  hard  to  possess 
myself  with  patience.  The  whole  matter  was  dis- 
cussed a  great  many  times  with  W.  A.  Crosier,  of 
Rushville,  and  it  was  agreed  between  us,  that  we 
would  discourage  any  talk  that  suggested  the  possi- 
bility of  carrying  the  district.  We  found  several  men 
who  wanted  to  talk  about  the  possibility  of  such  a 
thing,  which  suggestion  we  of  course  discouraged  at 
once. 


10  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER} 


CHAPTER  II. 

ORGANIZING  IN  SCEUYLER. 

On  Friday,  the  24tli  of  April,  I  asked  Mr.  Crosier 
if  lie  would  not  like  to  read  the  plan,  and  also  General 
Logan's  letter  in  answer  to  same.  After  reading 
them,  he  felt  with  me,  that  the  General  would  cer- 
tainly make  some  further  move  in  the  matter  soon. 
In  the  mean  time  I  determined  to  see  the  men  who 
would  do  good  and  efficient  work  in  their  respective 
townships,  and  the  following  were  selected: 

E.  M.  Bradley,  for  Frederick;  Sherman  B.  Dray, 
for  Browning;  George  "W.  Ware,  for  Hickory;  Peter 
Phillips,  for  Oakland;  Wm.  C.  Thompson  (who  called 
to  his  assistance  Dr.  Lewis  G.  Seeley),  for  Littleton; 
Jerome  Pettijohn,  for  Huntsville;  Charles  Phelps 
and  George  H.  Wier,  for  Birmingham;  Major  Robert 
Blackburn  and  Alexander  M.  Prather,  for  Brooklyn; 
Capt  Robert  A.  "Williams,  L.  P.  Allphin,  and  John  A. 
Points,  for  Camden;  Martin  G.  Rice,  D.  E.  Ray,  W. 
B.  Ray,  Robert  McCreery,  Wm.  Harm  an  and  Ed. 
DeWitt,  for  Buenavista;  Charles  W.  Davis  and 
Abraham  Lancaster,  for  Bainbridge.  Hon.  Perry 
Logsdon  agreed,  with  the  assistance  of  Samuel  Lash- 
brook,  to  work  Woodstock;  Leander  Kennedy,  Wm. 
Tremble,  George  W.  Bellomy,  W.  W.  Potts,  Wfm. 
Ramsey,  and  George  WT.  Barnhart,  for  Rushville. 


ORGANIZING  IN  SCUUTLER.  11 

After  making  the  selection,  I  determined  to  see  and 
give  instructions  to  those  living  in  distant  townships 
first.  The  first  man  instructed  was  E.  M.  Bradley,  of 
Frederick.  He  was  enthused  all  over  and  fell  readily 
into  the  work.  The  next  man  was  Sherman  B.  Dray} 
of  Browning.  He  also  thought  it  was  a  good  thing 
and  promised  his  hearty  co-operation.  The  third  man 
was  that  old  wheel-horse  of  the  Republican  party, 
Jerome  Pettijolm,  of  Huntsville,  who  got  so  enthu- 
siatic  over  the  matter  that  he  could  not  stay  at  home, 
but  had  to  spend  a  week  in  Rushville  awaiting  devel- 
opments. 

On  Monday,  the  27th  of  April,  the  Hon.  R.  W.  Mills, 
of  Virginia,  Cass  county,  came  to  Rushville  to  attend 
court.  He  called  on  me  in  the  evening  and  during 
the  conversation  that  followed,  I  asked  him  if  Ire  did 
not  think  we  could  do  something  to  help  out  our  can- 
didate for  the  United-States  Senate,  and  secure  his 
election.  He  replied  that  he  saw  no  other  way  than 
to  make  a  "still  hunt"  and  elect  a  Republican  to  suc- 
ceed Shaw.  I  then,  told  him  of  the  plan,  and  its 
details,  that  had  been  sent  to  General  Logan;  and 
also  of  the  General's  reply.  He  was  also  informed  of 
niy  wraiting  for  something  further  from  Springfield; 
as  it  seemed  to  me  an  old  campaigner  like  the  General, 
would  certainly  understand  that  it  would  take  some 
money  to  pay  the  men  who  would  be  engaged  in 
getting  the  vote  out.  Mr.  Mills  agreed'  .with  me  that 
it  would  take  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for 
each  county ;  in  nil  about  one  thousand  dollars. 

It  was  my  determination  to  make  the  effort  to  carry 
the  district  whether  the  money  was  raised  or  not,  be- 
lieving that  each  county  would  be  willing  to  defray  its 


12  "THE  MIGHT  Y  SLEEPER." 

own  expense,  and  wrote  the  following  plan,  of  which  I 
forwarded  a  copy  to  Capt.  S.  H.  Elaine,  of  Petersburg, 
Menard  county;  and  to  Capt.  Samuel  Bivens,  of 
Havana,  Mason  county  : 


LE,  ILL.,  April  28,  1885. 
Dear  Sir:     Herewith  I  send  you  plan  which  I  think,  if  pro- 
perly worked,  would  elect  a  Republican  Representative  in  the 
Thirty-Fourth  Senatorial  District. 

It  is-this:  That  one  man  b  •  selected  in  each  county  to  manage 
said  county,  he  in  turn  to  select  one  man  in  each  township  of 
the  county,  he  in  turn  to  select  one  man  in  each  school  district. 
who  iu  turn,  will  select  five  others  to  assist  him. 

All  engaged  in  this  work  being  as  secret  as  the  grave.  All  to 
start  out  on  the  morning  of  the  6th  to  see  that  all  Republicans 
are  at  their  respective  voting  places,  promptly  at  4  o'clock  p.  M., 
thereby  insuring  the  election  of  a  Republican  Representative. 

Results  to  follow  this:  First,  the  re-organization  of  the  House; 
Second,  the  election  of  John  A.  Logan;  Third,  the  great  satisfac- 
tion which  will  pervade  the  Republican  ranks,  thereby  making  it 
possible  to  have  a  better  organization  in  the  party  throughout  the 
State. 

I  think  we  ought  to  strain  every  nerve  to  accomplish  such  a 
grand  result.  Yours,  to  command,  HENRY  CRASKE. 

I  also  sent  the  same  plan  to  Representative  Logsdon 
with  this  addition:  — 

In  order  to  carry  this  to  a  successful  issue  it  will  be  necessary 
to  raise  one  thousand  dollars  out  side  of  the  four  counties.  I 
think,  in  fact  I  know,  that  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  carefully 
used  in  each  county  would  corne  near  getting  out  the  Republican 
vote. 

If  you  think  it  prudent,  would  like  to  have  you  show  this  to 
some  of  your  colleagues  in  the  House.  Of  course  prompt  action 
must  be  taken  on  this  if  acted  on  at  all. 

After  a  candidate  is  selected,  tickets  to  be  printed  at  one  office. 

R.  W.  Mills  wrote  a  note  to  Capt.  Elaine,  stating 
that  he  was  appointed  to  manage  his  county,  also 


CORRESPONDENCE,  ETC.  13 

stating  that  he  nominated  him  (Blaine)  for  Represen- 
tative. This  note  was  placed  in  the  envelope  with  the 
plan  and  forwarded  to  its  destination. 

Mr.  Mills  also  wrote  a  note  to  Capt.  Bivens,  notify- 
ing him  that  he  (Bivens)  was  selected  to  manage 
Mason  county.  He  also  wrote  on  the  margin  of  plan 
which  was  sent  to  Logsdon: 

"  I  believe  we  can  win  if  we  get  the  funds.  The  Democrats 
are  not  enthusiastic  over  their  man." 

This  plan  and  instructions  were  mailed  on  the 
morning  of  the  28th  of  April.  Mr.  Mills  agreed  to 
manage  his  county  with  the  aid  of  Hon.  F.  M.  Davis, 
of  Beardstown.  On  the  29th,  I  received  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  the  Hon.  Perry  Logsdon: 

SPRINGFIELD,  ILL,.,  April  28,  1885. 
HENRY  CRASKE,  Rushville,  111. 

My  Dear  Sir:    There  is  a  gentleman  here 

from  Virginia  to  see  me  in  reference  to  the  same  matter  you 
wrote  to  J.  A.  L.  I  think  there  will  be  some  one  to  see  you  before 
many  days.  If  anything  is  done  it  must  be  done  at  once. 

This  man  (Lancaster)  thinks  this  may  be  worked  successfully, 
and  be  the  means  of  sending  J.  A.  L.  to  U.  S.  S. 

Respectfully  yours,  PERRY  LOGSDON. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  the  following  letter  was 
received  from  Mr.  Logsdon: 

SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.,  April  29,  1885. 
Mr.  HENRY  CRASKE,  Rushville,  111. 

Dear  Sir:  Since  I  wrote  you  yesterday,  a 
caucus  was  held  in  General  L.'s  room,  by  some  men  of  our  dis- 
trict, Jacob  Wheeler  and  Dan  Shepard.  Your  plan  was  discussed 
and  thought  to  be  a  good  one.  There  will  be  some  of  our  men 
in  Capital  to-morrow,  who  will  then  determine  on  some  one  for  a 
candidate. 
I  write  this  morning  so  you  may  know  what  to  depend  on;  and 


14  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

lay  your  plans  accordingly.     I  will  be  in  Rusliville  on  Saturday. 
Hope  to  see  you.  Very  truly  yours. 

PERRY  LOGSDON. 

Upon  receipt  of  this  letter,  I  determined  to  see  all  the 
men  that  were  selected  to  organize  the  townships  as 
soon  as  possible.  Our  circuit  court  being  in  session, 
Judge  Matthews  presiding,  gave  me  a  splendid  oppor- 
tunity to  see  all  of  the  men  especially  entrusted  with 
the  work,  and  to  give  them  full  and  complete  instruc- 
tions. Among  other  things,  the  following  printed  cir- 
cular, gotten  up  with  the  assistance  of  W.  A.  Crosier 
and  the  editor  of  The  Citizen,  was  handed  to  commit- 
teemen  in  Schuyler  county: 

CIRCULAR. 

PLAN  FOR  TOWNSHIP  COMM1TTEEMAN. 

FIRST.  To  select  a  man  in  each  school  district,  that  you  know 
will  carry  out  this  plan  with  fulfill}'  and  strict  secrecy.  You  are 
to  distribute  the  tickets,  through  him,  to  every  Republican  voter 
in  each  school  district.  You  to  have  the  general  supervision  of 
the  same. 

DUTY  OF  SCHOOL-DISTRICT  COMMITTEES  AN. 

FIRST.  To  appoint  not  more  than  five  voters  who  can  be  relied 
upon  to  assist  in  the  distribution  of  tickets  not  earlier  than  the 
night  before  the  election. 

SECOND.  The  committeeman  will,  before  exposing  this  plan, 
obtain  a  pledge,  upon  the  voter's  honor,  to  secrecy;  and  obtain,  if 
possible,  his  faithful  promise  to  be  at  the  voting  place  promptly 
at  5  o'clock  in  the  evening,  on  the  day  of  election. 

r 

Particular  attention  was  given  to  the  fact  that  no 
voting  should  bo  done  until  5  o'clock.  I  also  notified 
them  that  I  expected  the  tickets  here  on  Saturday, 
May  2d,  and  requested  all  those  remaining  in  town  on 


CORRESPONDENCE,  ETC.  15 

'  that  day  to  call  at  2  o'clock  p.  M.,  receive  the  tickets 
and  take  them  to  their  several  townships  for  dis- 
tribution. 

On  Friday  evening,  May  1st,  I  received  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  Captain  Bivens: 

HAVANA,  ILL.,  April  30, 1885. 
Messrs.  CRASKE  and  MILLS: 

Gents:  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  communi- 
cation of  the  28th  inst.  and  will  say,  I  think  your  plan  a  good 
one;  but  as  it  is  my  busy  season  collecting  taxes,  I  can  not 
possibly  do  the  work  you  assign  to  me,  but  would  suggest  the 
name  of  Prof.  D.  M.  Blair,  county  superintendent  of  schools,  as  a 
very  suitable  man,  and  a  very  zealous  worker  iu  the  Republican 
cause.  I  think  he  will  (if  solicited)  take  hold  of  the  matter 
and  do  good  work.  Very  truly  yours, 

SAMUEL  BIVENS. 

Accompanying  this  was  a  short  note  from  Mr.  Mills, 
in  which  he  says: 

I  saw  Col.  Judy's  son,  of  Menard,  to-day.  He  said,  "  Dan. 
Shepard  had  written  the  Col.  to  meet  them  in  Springfield,  yester- 
day." I  also  saw  Cleaveland,  Representative  from  Rock  Island. 
He  approved  of  plan  and  said  he  would  see  to  having  the  money 
raised. 

We  are  organized  here  and  ready  for  the  fight. 

Yours  truly,  R.  W.  MILLS. 

On  the  morning  of  May  2d,  I  sent  the  following 
letter  to  Mr.  Mills,  at  Virginia. 

RUSHVILLE,  ILL.,  May  2,  1885. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  received  in  connection  with  Captain 
Bivens'  letter.  Would  say  that  we  are  thoroughly  organized  here 
and  conversant  with  the  fact  that  there  was  a  meeting  held  at 
Springfield  day  before  yesterday;  but  do  not  know  the  result, 
only  that  everything  was  lovely. 

You  must  put  Prof.  D.  M.  Blair  at  work  at  once  in  Mason.  As 
you  see,  Bivens  declines  to  work.  For  God's  sake  and  ,T.  A.  L.'s 


16  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER:1 

sake  and  the  sake  of  the  Republican  party  in  the  State,  do  n't 
fail  on  this.  Very  truly  yours, 

HENRY  CRASKE. 
R.  W.  MILLS,  Virginia,  111. 

On  Saturday,  about  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  Hon.  Perry 
Logsdon  called  on  me.  He  told  me  be  left  Springfield 
Thursday  evening,  and  that  Mr.  Beekman,  of  Menard 
county,  had  been  selected  as  the  candidate ;  that  Capt. 
Blaine  had  been  spoken  of,  but  he  being  State's 
Attorney,  it  was  thought  best  to  put  some  one  else  on 
the  ticket;  therefore  Beekman  was  selected.  He  also 
said  General  Logan  told  him  the  tickets  should  be 
shipped  to  Rushville,  to  arrive  Saturday;  and  that 
Mr.  Beekman  was  the  man. 

The  tickets  failed  to  arrive  on  Saturday  on  either  of 
the  trains.  We  have  only  two  trains  each  day.  One 
arrives  at  12,  M.,  the  other  at  4,  p.  M.  Mr.  Logsdon 
gave  me  an  order  on  the  express  company,  in  case  the 
tickets  were  addressed  to  him.  I  waited  until  both 
trains  had  arrived,  but  tickets  did  not  come.  I  then 
wired  Capt.  S.  H.  Blame,  at  Petersburg,  Menard 
county,  the  following: 

Have  you  received  your  goods  yet?  Mine  have  not  arrived. 
Please  answer. 

I  waited  till  about  7  o'clock,  p.  M.,  for  an  answer. 
I  then  made  up  my  mind  it  would  be  best  to  have 
tickets  printed  at  The  Citizen  office,  sufficient  for  this 
county;  but  when  I  tried  to  learn  Mr.  Beekman's 
Christian  name,  there  was  not  a  man  among  us  who  was 
able  to  tell  me  with  certainty.  I  now  asked  Wm.  A. 
Crosier  to  go  to  Beardstown  in  the  morning  to  see  the 
Hon.  F.  M.  Davis  to  learn  Mr.  Beekman's  Christian 
name,  so  the  tickets  could  be  printed  and  distributed 


A  SABBATH  WELL  SPENT.  17 

Monday.  He  said  he  thought  it  would  be  unwise  for 
him  to  go,  as  the  Democrats  would  suspect  something. 
It  was  then  agreed  that  he  should  see  Judge  A.  C. 
Matthews,  and  tell  him  that  I  wished  to  see  him  on 
special  business.  Mr.  Crosier  soon  came  back  with 
Judge  Matthews.  I  knew  the  Judge  was  an  ardent 
Republican  and  staunch  supporter  of  Logan,  and 
believed  he  would  be  willing  to  sacrifice  himself  for 
one  day.  I  therefore  explained  the  whole  plan  to 
him  and  asked  him  to  go  to  Beardstown  Sundciy 
morning.  He  said,  "Use  me  in  any  place  and  manner 
that  you  please  to  accomplish  such  a  glorious  result 
as  the  election  of  John  A.  Logan  to  the  United  States 
Senate."  We  agreed  to  start  at  7  o'clock,  A.M.  A 
carriage  and  team  were  ordered,  to  be  at.  the  Judge's 
hotel  promptly  at  7  in  the  morning,  with  a  good 
Republican  driver.  To  an  outsider, .  our .  purpose 
appeared  to  be  to  fix  up  some  fences  for  the  Judge,  as 
he  thought  of  being  a  candidate  before  the  Non- 
partisan  Judicial  Convention,  called  to  meet  at  Mt. 
Sterling  on  June  7th. 

The  carriage  and  driver,  Mr.  John  Potts,  the 
Judge  and  myself  were  promptly  on  time  Sun- 
day morning.  Like  old  campaigners,  in  order  that 
our  destination  should  be  unknown,  we  made'  a 
detour  in  a  direction  opposite  the  one  in  which 
we  wished  to  go.  In  an  hour  and  a  half  we 
reached  Frederick,  where  we  met  that  staunch  old 
"wheel-horse"  and  "true-blue"  Republican,  Grove 
Coningham,  Sr.,  who  invited  us  to  his  house  to 
rest  ourselves.  We  informed  him  that  we  wanted 
his  boat  and  a  good,  true  Republican  to  take 
us  to  Beardstow^n.  The  Judge  also  stated  that  he 


18  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

was  around  looking  after  his  fences  a  little,  as  well  as 
other  matters. 

Mr.  Coningham  agreed  to  get  us  a  good,  trusty  man. 
On  starting  to  the  boat  we  inquired  where  the  man 
was,  who  was  to  row  us  down.  Mr.  Coningham  said 
he  would  be  along  presently.  We  got  in  the  boat,  and 
were  surprised  to  find  that  Mr.  Coningham,  though 
well  into  the  seventies,  was  the  man.  We  made  the 
trip  down  in  about  one  hour  and  a  half,  there  being 
a  stiff  wind  up  stream.  On  arrival,  we  called  on  Mr. 
Davis,  to  whom  we  explained  our  visit  and  found, 
much  to  my  surprise,  that  he  ]±ad  heard  nothing  of  the 
plan.  We  explained  the  whole  matter  to  him  and 
gave  him  a  few  of  the  printed  plans  for  township  and 
school-district  committeemen.  Having  given  him  the 
necessary  instructions,  and  having  obtained  from  him 
the  candidate's  full  name,  John  T.  Beekman,  we  re- 
turned to  Frederick  on  the  steamer  Calhoun.  (I  have 
since  been  very  glad  that  we  went  to  Beardstown,  as 
it  gave  a  majority  for  the  Republican  ticket  of  eighty ; 
the  usual  majority  being  about  sixty-six  the  other 
way). 

We  arrived  at  Frederick  about  11  o'clock,  A.M.,  meet- 
ing there  George  W.  Ware,  of  Sheldons  Grove,  E.  M. 
Bradley,  John  B.  Hinton,  and  others,  who  were  very 
much  pleased  to  meet  Judge  Matthews.  We  also  met 
Dr.  D.  C.  Linn,  an  old  college-mate  of  the  Judge. 
The  affable  and  gentlemanly  officers  of  the  Calhoun 
made  the  Judge  a  present  of  some  early  vegetables 
which  were  served  on  Mrs.  Coningham's  table  for 
dinner;  after  which  Grove  and  his  accomplished 
daughter,  Bessie,  treated  us  to  some  very  choice 
selections  of  vocal  and  instrumental  music. 


A  SABBATH  WELL  SPENT.  19 

About  1  o'clock,  p.  M.,  E.  M.  Bradley  and  John  B. 
Hinton  called  according  to  previous  agreement.  The 
plan  and  its  details  were  then  explained  to  Mr.  Con- 
ingham  and  Mr.  Hinton,  the  latter  having  learned 
something  about  it  from  Mr.  Bradley.  Grove  re- 
marked, "Well!  I  thought  there  was  something 
besides  this  judicial  business  on  deck."  It  was  agreed 
that  Mr.  Hinton  should  come  to  Rushville  and  get  the 
tickets  for  Frederick,  Browning,  and  Hickory  town- 
ships, and  that  Mr.  Bradley  should  deliver  them  to 
Browning  and  Hickory.  Having  spent  a  very  pleas- 
ant day,  we  returned  to  Rushville,  unexpectedly  meet- 
ing on  our  way  home,  the  Democratic  Senator  from 
the  Thirty-Fourth  District,  Hon.  J.  Munroe  Darnell, 
in  company  with  that  staunch  Republican,  George  E. 
Hall,  of  Rushville.  We  greeted  them  very  cheerily 
and  passed  on,  wondering  whether  the  honorable 
senator  would  suspect  anything,  it  being  so  near 
election  day. 

Upon  our  arrival  home,  I  received  a  telegram  from 
Capt.  Elaine,  in  reply  to  mine  of  the  day  before, 
stating: 

"I  have  received  my  goods.  Yours  were  shipped  Saturday, 
will  arrive  Monday." 

I,  therefore,  expected  certainly  that  the  tickets 
would  be  on  hand  at  12  o'clock,  Monday  noon. 


20  "THE  MIGHT Y  SLEEPER." 


CHAPTER  III. 

A  CLOSE  CALL. 

On  Monday  morning,  we  were  all  in  fine  shape,  and 
the  men  who  were  to  make  the  deliveries  had  every- 
thing in  readiness  to  start.  But  I  was  again  sorely 
disappointed  by  the  non-arrival  of  the  tickets  and 
concluded  to  have  them  printed  for  the  county  at  The 
Citizen  office.  I  therefore  stepped  over  to  Mr.  Larash's 
office  and  told  him  that  owing  to  the  emergency,  he 
must  print  the  following  tickets,  at  once,  as  none  had 
arrived  so  far,  and  men  were  waiting  to  take  them  to 
the  distant  parts  of  the  county : 

For  Representative  Thirty-Fourth 

Senatorial  District. 
JOHN  T.  BEEKMAN. 

Larash  being  a  practical  printer,  did  the  printing 
himself,  but  was  greatly  hindered  by  an  unusual 
number  of  suspicious  appearing  Democrats,  who 
seemed  to  be  unusually  familiar,  causing  him  to  leave 
the  press  a  number  of  times,  thereby  delaying  the 
tickets  several  hours.  This,  however,  in  the  end, 
proved  to  be  a  God-send,  as  the  delay  prevented  my 
sending  out  to  more  than  five  townships  before  the  4 
o'clock  freight  train  cg,me  in,  bringing  the  long-looked- 
for  package  of  tickets,  which  was  delivered  at  my 


A  CLOSE  CALL.  21 

store  by  the  genial  and  accommodating  railroad 
agent,  Martin  G.  Rice.  To  my  great  surprise  and 
consternation  the  tickets  read: 

"For  Representative  to  General 
Assembly, 

W.  H.  WEAVER." 

showing  plainly  that  a  mistake  or  change  had  been 
made.  This  was  evidence  of  approaching  danger,  and 
soldier-like,  we  at  once  set  to  work  to  rectify  the 
trouble.  Mr.  Rice  helped  arrange  tickets  in  small  lots 
and  place  them  in  envelopes  for  distribution  to  the 
townships. 

Wm.  A.  Crosier  had  started  for  Huntsville,  Birm- 
ingham, and  Brooklyn  townships,  intending  to  make 
his  quarters  for  the  night  at  Jerome  Pettijohn's,  near 
Huntsville,  twenty  miles  from  Rushville.  George 
W.  Barnhart  had  started  for  Littleton  and  Oakland 
townships,  intending  to  stop  over  night  at  Samuel 
Ellis'.  Both  had  started  with  the  Beekman  tickets, 
and  the  great  thing  to  do  now  was  to  find  men  who 
could  be  trusted,  and  would  be  willing  to  ride  that 
distance  as  quickly  as  the  emergency  demanded. 
Robert  McCreery  was  signaled  to  follow  me  to  the 
livery  stable.  I  found  at  the  stable,  John  Potts,  pro- 
prietor, and  Hinman  Munroe,  a  grocer.  These  gentle- 
men were  told  that  two  men  were  wanted,  one  to  ride 
to  Huutsville,  the  other  to  Littleton  and  Oakland  as 
fast  as  horse-flesh  could  carry  them.  Mr.  McCreery 
said  it  would  kill  him  to  ride  that  distance.  The 
other  gentlemen  said  they  were  willing  to  do  the 
riding  if  they  knew  what  it  was,  for.  They  were  told 
that  it  rested  with  them  whether  or  not  John  A.  Logan 


22  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

should  be  elected  to  the  United  States  Seriate.  A 
brief  explanation  was  given  them.  I  handed  the 
gentlemen  the  Weaver  tickets,  and  they  im  mediately 
started  on  their  mission,  which  they  successfully  per- 
formed. Mr.  Potts  afterward  remarked  that  he  did 
so  at  the  serious  loss  of  the  cuticle  from  that  part  of 
his  body  that  came  in  contact  with  the  saddle;  he  will 
be  an  applicant  for  a  pension  for  wounds  received 
while  engaged  in  meritorious  service. 

Little  did  those  gentlemen  realize  how  nearly  they 
came  to  defeating  the  grand  object  by  changing  can- 
didates and  by  delay  in  forwarding  the  tickets.  At 
this  time  I  was  in  the  most  nervous  condition  of  my 
life,  knowing  that  the  mighty  stakes  for  which  we 
were  playing,  might  be  lost  on  account  of  this  miser- 
able mistake,  but  made  up  my  mind  to  remedy  it  if  it 
was  possible  to  do  so. 

John  13.  Hinton,  of  Frederick,  called  and  received 
the  tickets  for  the  three  townships  that  he  had  agreed 
to  supply.  Martin  G.  Rice  had  taken  the  tickets  for 
Buenavista  township.  Walter  B.  Nell,  of  Rushville, 
agreed  to  start  at  daybreak  and  deliver  the  tickets  to 
Charles  W.  Davis,  of  Bainbridge,  and  Perry  Logsdon, 
of  Woodstock.  Mr.  Logsdon  was  greatly  surprised 
at  the  change  of  candidate  but  concluded  it  was  all 
right;  yet  could  not  see  why  he  had  not  been  informed 
of  the  change. 


A  JUDICIOUS  MG  VE.  23 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A  JUDICIOUS  MOVE. 

By  agreement  of  some  of  the  Republicans  in  the 
town  arid  county,  it  had  been  arranged  to  call  a  meet- 
ing for  Monday,  May  4th,  to  select  delegates  to  attend 
the  Non-partisan  Judicial  Convention  at  Mt.  Sterling, 
on  Thursday,  May  7th;  but  owing  to  unavoidable 
circumstances,  the  call  was  issued  for  Tuesday,  the 
5th,  to  meet  at  lawyer  Mann's  office.  As  will  soon 
appear,  this  proved  very  fortunate  for  those  engaged 
in  carrying  forward  the  grand  work  of  electing  a 
Republican  Representative. 

On  Monday  night,  William  Trimble  and  Leauder 
Kennedy  came  in  for  tickets.  They  also  took  some 
to  George  W.  Bellomy.  Early  Tuesday  morning, 
George  Montooth  got  tickets  for  Oakland  township, 
and  was  notified  that  two  hundred  had  already  been 
sent  to  Peter  Phillips. 

As  time  rolled  on,  and  the  nearer  the  eventful  day 
approached,  the  more  anxious  we  became;  for  it 
seemed  to  us  the  Democrats  were  growing  very  suspi- 
cious. We  supposed  their  suspicions  were  aroused 
by  seeing  numerous  groups  of  active  workers  of  the 
Republican  party  consulting  on  the  street.  We, 
therefore,  resolved  that  we  would  not  stop  on  the 


24  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

street  to  talk  on  any  subject,  until  the  6th  of  May  had 
passed;  for  we  noticed  the  Democrats,  in  groups,  very 
earnestly  engaged  in  discussing  some  project  un- 
known to  us.  For  the  purpose  of  throwing  them  off 
their  guard,  the  call  for  the  Judicial  Convention 
furnished  the  necessary  lever. 

The  Non-partisan  Convention,  to  meet  at  Mt.  Sterl- 
ing, May  7th,  was  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into 
consideration  the  expediency  of  making  nominations 
for  judges  in  this  (sixth)  judicial  circuit.  We  had 
agreed,  in  the  meantime,  that  it  would  be  unwise  for 
Schuyler  to  be  represented  in  any  way  that  would 
injure  Judge  Tunnicliff,  he  being  an  independent 
candidate  for  the  Supreme  Bench  in  this  district. 
After  thinking  the  matter  over  and  learning  more  in 
regard  to  the  proposed  convention,  it  was  decided 
that  a  caucus  should  be  called  to  meet,  as  before 
mentioned,  at  the  office  of  P.  E.  Mann,  to  select 
delegates.  There  being  no  opportunity  to  make  the 
call  through  the  papers,  it  was  issued  through  the 
postoffice.  Owing  to  the  press  of  business,  the  editor 
of  The  Citizen  did  not  have  time  to  print  the  call  until 
Tuesday,  the  5th.  The  time  appointed  was  1  o'clock 
of  that  day.  This  proved  to  be  a  lucky  delay  for  the 
Republicans,  and  as  Mr.  Larash  stated,  it  would  dis- 
arm whatever  suspicions  were  held  by  our  Democratic 
friends.  We  were  also  very  careful  to  let  it  leak  out 
that  we  were  opposed  to  the  regular  Democratic 
nominee  for  Circuit  Judge,  John  C.  Bagby. 

Promptly  at  1  o'clock,  as  per  call,  a  number  of 
Republicans  appeared  at  the  office  before  men- 
tioned. We  then  learned  that  Mr.  Mann  was  absent 
on  business,  and  adjourned  to  the  office  of  Dr.  John 


A  JUDICIOUS  MOVE.  25 

A.  Harvey.  This  movement  created  quite  a  stir 
among  the  Democrats  and  other  citizens  who  had  not 
"caught  on."  The  excitement  ran  high  on  both  sides. 
But  the  sturdy  Kepublicaus  moved  gracefully  through 
the  ordeal  without  evolving  a  scintillation  of  their 
real  object. 

The  meeting  was  composed  of  the  following  gentle- 
men: John  A.  Points,  of  Camden;  Win.  A.  Crosier, 
of  Buenavista;  George  W.  Barnhart,  Dr.  John  A. 
Harvey,  of  Rushville;  and  the  author.  Dr.  Harvey 
was  elected  chairman  and  George  W.  Barnhart,  secre- 
tary. W.  B.  Nell,  Win.  A.  Crosier,  W.  I.  Larash,  and 
H.  Craske  were  appointed  delegates  to  the  Non- 
partisan  Judicial  Convention  at  Mt.  Sterling. 

PUTTING    A  DEMOCKAT    IN   EEPUBLIClN 
HARNESS. 

Dr.  T.  H.  Downing,  the  skillful  dental  physician 
of  Rushville,  who  is  a  staunch  and  active  Democrat, 
occupies  two  rooms  in  the  rear  of  the  same  building 
in  which  this  caucus  was  held.  The  doors  of  his 
rooms  were  open  and  the  dentist,  presumably,  engaged 
at  his  work.  After  the  credentials  were  made  out  and 
signed  and  the  proceedings  reduced  to  writing,  on 
motion  of  W.  I.  Larash,  who  had  just  stepped  into 
the  office,  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  were  read  in  a 
very  loud  tone  so  that  the  worthy  dentist  might  hear 
all  that  had  been  done.  On  motion,  the  caucus 
adjourned  without  day. 

The  presence  of  the  Democrat  worked  splendidly, 
for  the  caucus  had  no  sooner  adjourned  than  Dr. 
Downing  sounded  the  alarm  all  along  the  lines.  He 


26  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER:' 

was  not  a  very  warm  supporter  of  the  entire  Demo- 
cratic Judicial  ticket,  and,  while  he  took  a  great  deal 
of  comfort  from  the  movement,  he,  at  the  same  time, 
stirred  up  Bagby's  friends,  who  naturally  construed 
the  action  of  the  Republicans  as  a  direct  thrust  at 
Judge  Bagby.  This  was  just  what  we  desired  above 
all  things,  as  it  effectually  threw  them  off  the  track  as 
to  our  real  object. 

It  is  said  by  the  Democrats  that  on  Tuesday,  about 
4  or  5  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Judge  Bagby  received  a  telegram 
from  Hon.  Scott  "Wyke,  stating,  "We  hear  rumors  of 
movement  to  beat  Leeper.  Sound  the  alarm."  Many 
Democrats  and  some  Democratic  papers  subsequently 
claimed  that  Judge  Bagby  failed  to  "sound  the  alarm," 
and  that  he,  indirectly,  aided  in  electing  a  Republican 
to  succeed  Shaw;  but  Republicans  who  were  conversant 
with  the  facts  believe  that  the  action  of  Tuesday's 
caucus  threw  the  Judge  and  his  friends  here  com- 
pletely off  their  guard.  They  undoubtedly  thought 
that  Judge  Matthews'  trip  on  Sunday  and  the  caucus 
held  on  Tuesday  were  in  harmony  with  each  other. 
It  has  been  stated  that  S.  B.  Montgomery  received  a 
telegram  on  Monday,  May  4th,  from  Senator  Darnell 
saying,  "The  boys  in  Virginia  are  alarmed.  Attend  to 
it  at  once."  Notwithstanding  this,  Mr.  Montgomery's 
Democracy  has  never  been  questioned,  nor  need  it  be, 
I  am  satisfied  that  Judge  Bagby  and  S.  B.  Montgomery 
believed  the  telegrams  were  simply  for  the  purpose 
of  getting  out  a  larger  Democratic  vote,  so  as  to  show 
that  the  party  was  not  asleep,  and  for  this  reason  they 
did  not  exert  themselves  as  they  would  have  done  had 
they  suspected  the  facts  in  the  case.  It,  however, 
was  a  surprise  to  Republicans,  that  old  campaigners. 


A  DEMOCRAT  IN  REPUBLICAN  HARNESS        27 

like  the  gentlemen  above  mentioned,  suffered  their 
forces  to  go  to  sleep  in  the  face  of  a  vigilant  enemy. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  Republicans,  if 
they  followed  instructions,  had  the  hard  work  to  do 
on  Tuesday  night  and  Wednesday  morning; — that  of 
interviewing  the  voters,  distributing  tickets,  explaining 
the  situation,  and  obtaining  their  promise  not  to  say 
anything  to  any  one,  and,  also,  not  to  vote  before  5 
o'clock,  P.  M.  And  "as  fortune  favors  the  brave,"  a 
heavy  rain  storm  came  up  Tuesday  night  which  tried 
the  mettle  of  the  special  workers  in  the  great  cause; 
but  they  proved  equal  to  the  occasion  and  did 
splendid  work,  as  the  result  next  day  plainly  dem- 
onstrated. 

"Wednesday  morning,  the  6th  of  May,  dawned  bright 
and  clear,  which  the  Republicans  believed  was  a 
favorable  augury  for  their  success.  In  Rushville,  all 
was  quiet  as  a  summer  day.  The  Democrats  were 
apparently  quiet,  as  if  they  were  satisfied  that  no 
disturbing  forces  were  at  work.  This  continued 
until  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  when  unusual  activity  ruled 
among  the  Democrats  who  were  in  sight.  Saddle- 
horses,  teams,  buggies,  and  carriages  were  hastily 
secured  and  might  have  been  seen  leaving  town  with 
prominent  Democrats,  riding  and  driving  at  break- 
neck speed;  also  as  soon  as  a  Democrat  came  in  from 
the  country  he  was  sent  back  post  haste,  with 
instructions  to  rally  the  voters,  as  the  Republicans 
were  going  to  run  in  a  "cold  deck"  late  in  the  day. 
This  flurry  was  all  caused,  as  we  afterwards  learned, 
by  a  prominent  Democratic-Greenback-Republican- 
Democrat,  of  Bainbridge  township,  who  told  Mark 
Bogue,  the  Democratic  county  clerk,  that  a  Republican 


28  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER.'1 

had  said  to  him  the  evening  of  the  5th  that  the 
Republicans  were  going  to  have  a  candidate  and  do 
their  voting  late  in  the  day.  We  knew  from  their 
movements  that  they  had  learned  something,  but 
believing  that  our  organization  was  perfect,  if  instruc- 
tions were  followed,  we  felt  confident  of  success.  We 
also  believed  that,  on  such  short  notice,  it  would  be 
impossible  for  the  Democrats  to  rally  their  men  in 
sufficient  numbers  to  overcome  our  organization.  It 
has  been  learned  since  the  election,  that  on  Monday, 
May  4th,  the  following  "moss-backs,"  namely,  Mark 
Bogue,  S.  B.  Montgomery,  and  Wm.  Bader,  met  in 
the  office  of  the  Rushville  Times,  the  Democratic 
organ  of  the  county,  edited  by  Edwin  Dyson,  who 
was  also  present.  Bader,  Montgomery,  and  Bogue 
urged  the  necessity  of  sending  a  circular  letter  to  the 
Democrats  in  the  county  warning  them  of  danger,  and 
urging  them  to  vote  on  the  6th,  as  it  was  possible  that 
the  Republicans  would  undertake  quietly  to  run  a 
candidate,  and  defeat  the  Democratic  nominee,  thus 
bringing  about  a  terrible  state  of  affairs.  Mr.  Dyson 
considered  this  step  altogether  unnecessary,  as  he  did 
not  believe  the  Republicans  would  attempt  such  a 
thing.  The  circulars  were  not  sent  out,  and  thus  the 
only  means  that  might  have  defeated  the  Republicans 
was  neglected,  to  the  everlasting  regret  of  the  four 
gentlemen  who  discussed  the  project  and  then 
abandoned  it. 

As  the  day  wore  on,  the  Republicans,  eager  and 
expectant,  gathered  in  town,  apparently  oblivious  of 
the  fact  that  it  was  election  day,  but  in  reality  burning 
with  impatience,  awaiting  the  time  to  deposit  their 
ballots  in  conformity  with  the  plan.  At  last  the 


QUIET  AS  A  SUMMER  DAY.  29 

critical  hour  arrived  and  they  commenced  voting  and 
kept  up  a  continuous  stream  of  Republican  votes 
until  the  polls  closed. 

I  know  of  three  Democrats  who  voted  for  the 
Republican  candidate.  One  of  them  said  to  me,  "Give 
me  one  of  your  tickets.  I  am  tired  of  this  farce  at 
Springfield."  Another  said,  "I  want  to  vote  the 
Republican  ticket  to  end  the  'dead-lock',  and  elect  a 
U.  S.  Senator."  Still  another  being  in  doubt,  when 
asked  if  he  desired  to  see  matters  settled  in  Spring- 
field, a  United  States  Senator  elected,  and  the  State 
saved  two  thousand  dollars  per  day,  concluded,  in  a 
spirit  of  economy,  to  vote  the  Republican  ticket. 

Early  in  the  day,  a  few  patriotic  and  impulsive 
Republicans  who  were  not  posted  in  the  matter 
and  who  believe  in  exercising  the  right  to  vote 
whenever  opportunity  offers,  voted  the  Democratic 
ticket. 

An  event  showing  quick  appreciation  of  all  sur- 
roundings occurred  at  the  Rushville  polls.  Several 
Republicans  were  in  the  room,  and  were  hesitating  as 
to  whether  they  should  vote.  They  did  not  know  the 
Republicans  had  a  candidate,  and  were  about  to  vote 
the  Democratic  ticket.  Dr.  J.  H.  Ewiiig,  one  of  the 
clerks  of  the  board,  promptly  suggested  that  they 
vote  for  John  Putman,  an  ardent  Republican,  formerly 
a  resident  of  Rushville,  now  "an  offensive .  partisan" 
living  at  Beardstown,  Cass  county.  This  served 
somewhat  to  wreaken  the  suspicions  of  the  Democratic 
strikers  who  were  hovering  around  the  polls  and 
closely  scanning  every  Republican  who  happened  to 
stroll  that  way. 

John  McCabe,  of  Rushville,  deserves  great  credit 


30  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPERS 

for  effective  work  in  notifying  Republican  voters,  and 
getting  them  to  the  polls  in  the  "nick  of  time." 

To  J.  N.  Roach,  the  author  will*  ever  feel  grateful 
for  the  words  of  encouragement  and  approval  which 
he  gave  during  the  organization. 

Many  amusing  incidents  occurred  and  mistakes 
were  made  during  the  day.  For  instance,  while  talk- 
ing to  a  Democrat  a  Republican  came  to  me  and  said 
in  a  loud  voice,  "Say!  let  me  have  some  of  those 
tickets."  As  good  fortune  would  have  it,  a  concert  was 
billed  for  the  evening  of  the  6th.  I  said  to  him :  "  I 
only  secured  two  tickets,  but  go  to  Crosier  &  Button's 
marble  shop.  They  have  tickets  more  than  they 
need."  He  seemed  to  take  the  hint  and  left.  Again, 
a  Republican  and  a  Democrat  were  engaged  in 
conversation.  The  Democrat  handed  the  Republican 
a  ticket  and  asked  him  if  he  would  not  vote  it  He 
replied  that  he  did  not  think  he  would,  and  the 
Democrat  walked  away.  Another  Republican,  seeing 
the  Democratic  ticket,  said  in  a  loud  voice,  "  I  've  got 
a  different  kind  of  a  ticket  from  that"  Fortunately 
the  Democrat  did  not  notice  what  was  said,  and 
passed  on.  Such  incidents  were  very  trying  to  the 
nerves,  in  spite  of  their  amusement 

On  Thursday  morning,  May  7th,  W.  A.  Crosier, 
W.  B.  Nell,  W.  I.  Larash,  and  the  author  started  for 
Mt  Sterling,  at  7  o'clock,  A.  M..  to  attend  the  Judicial 
Convention.  We  obeyed  the  stern  behests  of  duty 
on  this  occasion,  much  against  our  inclination,  as  we 
would  have  preferred  very  much  to  remain  at  home 
to  learn  the  result  of  the  election.  We  arrived  in 
Mt  Sterling  about  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  there  learned 
that  it  was  rumored  that  the  Republicans  had  carried 


FAVORABLE  NEWS  FROM  THE  ELECTION.       31 

the  Thirty-Fourth  Distri  ct.  At  2  o'clock,  p.  M.,  a 
telegram  was  received  from  Maj.  "W.  H.  Brackenridge, 
Representative  from  the  Thirty-Sixth  District,  at 
Springfield,  stating,  "From  all  that  I  can  learn,  a 
Republican  will  succeed  Shaw."  This  was  very 
gratifying  indeed,  to  those  of  us  who  lived  in  the 
Thirty-Fourth. 

After  resolving  that  it  was  inexpedient  to  make 
nominations,  the  convention  adjourned.  After  a 
drive  of  about  three  hours,  we  reached  home.  Just 
as  we  entered  town,  we  met  Dr.  John  A.  Harvey,  who 
informed  us  that  the  Republicans  had  carried  the 
county  by  one  hundred  and  sixty-one  majority,  and 
that  the  Democrats  were  very  sick.  This  was  like 
an  exhilirating  beverage  to  us. 

Before  leaving  home  in  the  morning,  I  had  com- 
missioned M.  G.  Rice  to  answer  any  telegrams  that 
arrived  for  me.  He  received  the  following: 

PETERSBURG,  ILL.,  May  7,  1885. 
To  HENRY  CRASKE,  Rushville,  111.: 

Menard  gave  Weaver  two  hundred  and  seven  majority.  How 
is  Schuyler?  Answer.  S.  H.  BLANE. 

The  following  reply  was  sent: 

RUSHVILLE,  ILL.,  May  7,  1885. 
To  S.  H.  BLANE,  Petersburg,  111.: 

Schuyler  gives  Weaver  probably  one  hundred  or  more. 

HENRY  CRASKE. 

On  Friday  morning,  the  8th,  I  received  the  follow- 
ing message  from  Gen.  Logan: 

SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.,  May  7, 1885. 
To  HENRY  CRASKE,  Rushville,  111.: 

Look  closely  after  returns  and  certificate.  Democratic  pro- 
gramme is  to  delay  count. 

JOHN  A.  LOGAN. 


32  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

I  immediately  called  upon  County  Clerk  Bogue 
and  asked  him  if  he  had  forwarded  abstract  of 
returns  to '  Springfield.  He  informed  me  he  had  sent 
them  out  on  the  early  mail.  I  told  him  I  was  very 
glad  of  that  as  an  effort  was  being  made  to  delay 
returns. 

The  following  message  was  immediately  sent  to 
Gen.  Logan: 

RUSHVILLE,  ILL.,  May  8,  1885. 
To  Hon.  JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  Springfield,  111.: 

Abstract  mailed  at  eight  thirty  this  morning.  Official,  one 
hundred  and  sixty-one  for  Weaver.  Send  us  official  from  other 
counties.  We  are  very  anxious. 

HENRY  CRASKE. 

About  1  o'clock,  P.  M.,  County  Clerk  Bogue  came 
to  me  and  said:  "Harry,  what  did  you  mean  when 
you  were  asking  those  questions  this  morning?"  I 
then  showed  him  Gen.  Logan's  message.  He 
appeared  to  be  very  angry,  and  said:  "I  have  just 
received  this  dispatch  from  Virginia, "  and  handed  it 
to  me,  saying,  "  I  wonder  what  that  fellow  takes  me 
for.  As  an  official,  I  know  no  party.  As  a  private 
citizen,  of  course,  I  would  do  anything  that  is  honor- 
able to  defeat  the  Republican  party."  Mr.  Bogue 
gave  me  permission  to  wire  a  copy  of  the  dispatch  to 
Gen.  Logan.  He  also  expressed  a  desire  that  it 
should  be  done,  "  For,"  said  he,  "  I  do  not  want  those 
gentlemen  at  Springfield  to  think,  for  a  moment,  that 
I  would  lend  myself  to  the  purpose  of  holding  back 
the  returns;  especially  as  I  sent  word  some  time 
before  the  election  to  the  supervisors  of  the  town- 
ships to  forward  returns  as  soon  as  counted,  so  I 
could  send  official  returns  to  Springfield,  Friday.  Of 


DEMOCRATS  HOLD  BACK  RETURNS.  33 

course,  the  election  has  resulted  different  from  what 
was  expected;  but  that  does  not  alter  niy  duty." 
I  then  wired  the  following: 

RUSHVILLE,  ILL.,  May  8,  1885. 
To  HON.  JOHN  A.  LOGAN,  Springfield,  111.: 

Telegram  just  received  by  county  clerk,  who  requested  me  to 
wire  you  the  facts.  Telegram  reads:  "Hold  back  returns  seven 
days.  [Signed]  * — .  — .  — 

Virginia,  Cass  county." 

Schuyler  is  safe. 

HENRY  CHASKE. 
*Tbe  name  is  withheld  by  request.    It  was  sent  to  Gen.  Logan. 

The  name  signed  was  that  of  a  prominent  county 
official  of  Cass  county.  The  name  is  withheld  now 
at  the  request  of  Mr.  Bogue. 

About  6  o'clock,  p.  M.,  the  following  dispatch  was 
received  from  Gen.  Logan: 

SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.,  May  8,  1885. 
To  H.  CRASKE,  Rushville,  111.: 

Dispatch  received.  Menard  206  majority  for  Weaver,  Cass  93 
for  Leeper,  Mason  20  for  AVeaver.  This  is  about  correct.  Thanks 
to  your  clerk  for  doius;  his  duty. 

JOHN  A.  LOGAN. 


34  "TEE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

CHAPTER  V. 
OFFICIAL  KETUENS. 

CASS   COUNTY. 

The  following  is  the  official  vote  of  Cass  county; 
also  the  official  vote  for  Presidential  Electors,  in  1884: 

Arthur  A.  Leeper.    W.  H.  Weaver.     Cleveland.    Elaine. 

Ashland 103                    125                   177  105 

Arenzville 66                     45                   176  140 

Beardstown 274                   354                   519  464 

Bluff  Springs ...       21                     20                     84  70 

Oregon 36                     33                   117  71 

Chandlerville ...     114                     57                   176  87 

Hickory 8                       2                     49  35 

Indian  Creek 11                    ...                      55  20 

Monroe 21                      19                     70  24 

Princeton 12                     26                   100  -59 

Philadelphia 35                     32                     47  42 

Richmond 87                     26                 "135  48 

Virginia 220                   177                   351  240 


Total 1008  916  2056  1 405 

Majority ....       92  651 

MENARD   COUNTY. 

The  following  is  the  official  vote  (?f  Menard  county; 
also  the  official  vote  for  Presidential  Electors,  in  1884: 

Arthur  A.  Leeper.  W.  H.  Weaver.  Cleveland.  Blaine. 

Athens 47  181  182  262 

Greenview 63  77  137  178 

Indian  Creek 53  46  104  63 

Petersburg,  poll  1     135  109  349  153 

Petersburg,  poll  2    103  70  223  121 

Rock  Creek 6  46  133  68 

Sand  Ridge 11  ....  241  58 

Sweetwater 38  83  85  99 

Tallula..                    32  88  125  132 


Total 488  700  1579  1134 

Majority 212  445 


OFFICIAL  RETURNS.  35 


MASON   COUNTY. 

The  following  is  the  official  vote  of  Mason  county, 

also  the  official  vote  for  Presidential  Electors,  in  1884: 

Arthur  A.  Leeper.    W.  H.  Weaver.    Cleveland.    Elaine. 

Aliens  Grove ....       31                     77  129  117 

Bath 67                     40  211  93 

Crane  Creek  ....       19                     21  111  60 

Forest  City 32                     54  103  86 

Havana 308                   179  471  329 

Kilbourne 28                     40  96  73 

Lynchburg 30                     29  79  50 

Manito 40                     19  140  100 

Mason  City 158                   231  293  *  269 

Pennsylvania ...       10                     32  79  60 

Quiver 17                     43  74  93 

Salt  Creek 34                     75  99  96 

Sherman 19                       8  113  59 


Total 793  848  2016  1485 

Majority 55  531 

SCHUYLEB   COUNTY. 

The  following  *is  the  official  vote  of  Schuyler 
county;  also  the  official  vote  for  Presidential  Electors, 
in  1884: 

Arthur  A.  Leeper.    W.  H.  Weaver.     Cleveland.     Elaine. 

Oakland 164  50  144  99 

Littleton 64  114  101  140 

Brooklyn 29  65  100  145 

Birmingham  ....       27  123  78  148 

Huntsville 60  69  126  101 

( 'ainden 61  30  168  73 

Buenavista 103  120  211  168 

Rushville 197  205  319  290 

Browning 115  69  215  92 

Hickory 25  15  82  28 

Frederick 11  47  47  56 

Bainbridge 60  66  177  108 

Woodstock  . .             91  47  188  85 


Total 859  1020  1956  1533 

Majority....  161  423 


36  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER," 

CHAPTER  VI. 
SELECTING  THE  CANDIDATE. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  April  28th,  the  following 
gentlemen  met  at  Gen.  Logan's  room  at  the  Leland 
Hotel:  Gen.  Logan,  Daniel  Shepard,  Sam.  Jones, 
Jake  Wheeler,  Reuben  Lancaster,  Charles  B.  Gatton, 
James  B.  Black,  and  Perry  Logsdon.  At  this  meet- 
ing, the  plan  forwarded  to  Gen.  Logan  on  April  16th 
was  presented  by  him,  discussed  and  approved,  and 
Thursday  was  the  day  agreed  upon  as  the  time  to 
select  a  candidate.  Daniel  Shepard  invited  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  to  be  present  at  Thursday's 
meeting:  Gen.  Lippincott  and  Tree  Mathews,  of 
Cass;  Wells  Corey,  of  Mason;  Col.  Judy  and  Capt. 
S.  H.  Blane,  of  Menard.  Of  those  invited,  Capt.  S. 
H.  Blane,  and  Wells  Corey  responded  in  person. 
There  were  also  present  Gen.  Logan,  Daniel  Shepard, 
secretary  of  Republican  State  Central  Committee, 
Jacob  Wheeler  of  Internal  Revenue  Department,  and 
Hon.  Samuel  Jones  of  Springfield,  Reuben  Lancaster 
and  Dr.  S.  Colladay  of  Virginia,  Cass  county.  This 
meeting  was  held  in  the  room  occupied  by  Hon.  Wm. 
R.  Morrison  until  a  few  days  before,  when  he  had 
given  it  up  and  started  for  Washington.  '  The  coterie 
of  gentlemen  who  assembled  on  this  occasion  were 
anything  but  favorable  to  Morrison's  election  to  the 
U.  S.  Senate. 

Of  the  names  presented,  that  of  John  T.  Beekman 
was  selected  as  the  most  available.  Persons  from 


SELECTING  THE  CANDIDATE.  37 

Cass  county  objected  to  him  on  account  of  his  being 
in  favor  of  low  license;  but  this  objection  was  not 
considered  at  this  meeting.  Weaver's  name  was  also 
suggested,  but  no  action  taken.  After  the  meeting 
was  over,  it  was  decided  that,  on  account  .of  their 
failure  to  agree  on  Beekman,  it  should  be  left  to  the 
gentlemen  from  Menard  county  to  make  the 
nomination. 

Wells  Corey  was  empowered  to  print  tickets.  (The 
tickets  cost  Gen.  Logan  fifteen  dollars ;  and  this  was  all 
the  election  expenses  that  were  defrayed  by  persons  at 
Springfield.  It  should  be  remembered  that  there  was 
no  money  used  in  this  campaign  excepting  what  was 
absolutely  necessary,  such  as  horse-and-buggy-Jiire, 
and  feed  for  horses,  board  and  lodging  for  men,  while 
attending  to  the  work.  This  expense  was  paid  by  the 
gentlemen  who  had  charge  of  the  work  in  their 
respective  counties. ) 

Capt.  S.  H.  Blane  agreed  to  send  the  name  of  the 
candidate,  as  soon  as  one  should  be  selected,  to  Mr. 
Corey  at  Mason  City,  so  that  tickets  could  be  printed 
without  delay.  Upon  arrival  at  Petersburg,  Capt.- 
Blane  called  a  caucus.  Capt.  W.  H.  Weaver  being 
the  choice  of  the  caucus,  he  was  interviewed  at  once, 
and  finally  consented  to  permit  his  name  to  be  used. 
Mr.  Corey  was  duly  notified  of  the  fact.  He  printed 
tickets  and  sent  them  to  the  several  distributing 
points,  namely:  Havana,  Petersburg,  Virginia,  and 
Kushville. 

Maj.  Buggies  of  Havana,  Theodore  Bell  of  Quiver 
Township,  and  Wells  Corey  of  Mason  City,  are  the 
gentlemen  who  finally  had  the  management  of  affairs 
in  Mason  county. 


38  "TILti  MIGHTY  SLEEPER? 


CHAPTER  VII. 

JOUENEY  TO  THE  CAPITAL. 

On  Monday,  May  llth,  W.  I.  Larash  and  the  author 
drove  to  Frederick,  whence  we  went  by  rail  to  Spring- 
field, where  we  arrived  in  company  with  Hon.  Perry 
Logsdou,  about  5  o'clock,  P.  M.  Soon  after  our  arrival, 
we  met  Hon.  Jacob  Wheeler,  who  invited  us  to  go  to 
the  Leland  Hotel  with  him  to  see  Gen.  Logan;  but, 
Mr.  Logsdon  having  a  prior  engagement  elsewhere, 
our  visit  to  the  General  was  deferred  until  later  in  the 
day.  About  9  o'clock,  in  the  evening,  we  met  Gen. 
Logan  at  the  Leland.  After  introductions,  the  Gen- 
erp.l  exclaimed:  "My  God!  boys,  I  didn't  believe  it 
practicable;  I  have  known  of  similar  work  being  done 
in  a  town,  or  in  a  connty,  but  in  a  district  composed 
of  four  counties,  I  did  not  believe  it  could  be  done. 
I  pronounce  it  the  most  daring  piece  of  political 
strategy,  so  successfully  executed,  since  the  days  of 
Alexander  the  Great." 

In  the  meantime,  the  Democrats  were  doing  all 
they  could  to  pick  flaws  in  the  returns  from  some  of 
the  precincts  in  Mason,  Menard,  and  Cass  counties, 
and  had  sent  a  great  many  statesmen  from  the  capital 
to  look  after  matters  a  little,  you  know.  Presumably 
to  encourage  the  clerks  to  hold  back  the  official 
returns,  the  full  seven  days  allowed  by  law.  The  time 


A  JOURNEY  TO  THE  CAPITAL.  39 

wore  away,  however,  and  official  returns  finally 
reached  Springfield.  Those  of  Mason  and  Menard 
canie  by  the  Thursday  morning  (May  14th)  mail.  The 
Cass  county  returns  were  in  charge  of  a  special 
messenger  who  was  patiently  awaited  all  day.  On 
the  arrival  of  the  4:30  train  from  Beardstown,  a 
special  conveyance,  with  Manning  Logan  in  charge, 
was  in  waiting  at  the  depot.  The  messenger  entered 
it  and  was  immediately  driven  to  the  State  House, 
where  the  State  Canvassers  met  and  the  official  can- 
vass was  concluded  and  the  Governor's  signature 
attached  to  the  Weaver  certificate  at  5:10,  p.  M.  The 
House,  however,  had  adjourned  till  10  o'clock,  Friday 
morning,  and  the  Representatives  were  obliged  to 
wait  to  make  their  new  accession  available. 

When  the  joint  assembly  met,  pursuant  to  adjourn- 
ment, at  7:30,  P.M.,  and  Weaver's  certificate  having 
been  issued  in  the  meantime,  the  Republicans  deter- 
mined to  have  the  oath  of  office  administered  and 
ask  to  have  him  seated,  so  that  he  could  take  part  in 
the  joint  session;  but,  by  some  means  the  plan 
miscarried.  The  joint  assembly  adjourned  till  Friday, 
8:30,  A.  M.  Immediately  after  the  adjournment  of 
the  evening  joint  session,  however,  Mr.  Weaver  took 
his  certificate  to  Judge  Gross,  who  was  on  the  floor 
of  the  House  and  demanded  that  he  administer  the 
oath  of  office  to  him.  Judge  Gross  administered  the 
oath. 

On  Friday  morning,  after  a  hard  fight,  the  Demo- 
crats, when  they  found  they  could  not  help  them- 
selves, finally  agreed  to  allow  Capt.  W.  H.  Weaver 
to  take  his  seat;  provided,  the  Republicans  would 
agree  to  cast  only  formal  ballots  until  Tuesday,  the 


40  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

19th,  when  real  balloting  was  to  be  the  order  of  the 
day. 

Tuesday  at  length  arrived,  and  on  the  first  ballot 
Gen.  Logan  was  elected,  after  a  long  delay  caused 
by  the  filibustering  tactics  of  the  Democrats, 
who  were  willing  to  vote  for  any  one  or  anything 
to  beat  Logan.  But  the  gallant  103  Republicans 
stood  firm  and  undaunted  through  the  trying  ordeal. 

On  motion  of  Representative  Fuller,  the  Chair 
appointed  Messrs.  Fuller,  Chapman  and  Merritt,  a 
committee  of  three  to  conduct  General  Logan  into 
the  hall.  When  Logan  appeared,  walking  down  the 
aisle  on  the  arm  of  Senator  Merritt,  a  scene  of  the 
wildest  enthusiasm  ensued  and  it  was  some  minutes 
before  he  could  be  heard.  He  was  introdiiced  by 
Speaker  Haines  and  spoke  as  follows: 

"Gentlemen  of  the  Senate  and  House   of  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  Illinois: 

,"I  congratulate  you  on  having  brought  to  a  conclusion  this 
most  remarkable  contest,  which  has  been  going  on  for  nearly 
four  months.  I  have  no  words  to  express  my  gratitude  to  the 
representatives  of  this  great  State  of  Illinois  for  the  compliment 
they  have  paid  me  to-day.  Having  been  elected  for  the  third 
time  to  represent  this  great  State  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  I  hope  I  have  so  acted  and  deported  myself,  my  party, 
my  State  ^and  country;  and  my  past  history  is  the  only  guarantee 
I  can  give  for  my  future  course.  From  the  deepest  recess  of  my 
bosom,  I  again  thank  vou  for  the  honor  you  have  conferred  upon 
me.  There  is  no  position  on  earth  which  could  be  more  gratify- 
ing than  to  represent  this  great  State.  In  this  contest,  which  has 
been  an  unusually  close  and  heated  one,  I  am  proud  to  state  that 
nothing  has  transpired  to  mar  the  friendly  relations  existing 
between  myself  and  my  worthy  opponent.  For  thirty  years,  this 
gentleman  and  myself  have  been  friends,  and  I  trust  we  shall 
always  remain  such.  [Loud  cheers.]  I  believe  there  has  never 
been  a  contest  between  two  persons  waged  more  earnestly  for 


ADDRESS  BY  GEN.  LOGAN.  41 

their  parties  than  this,  after  which  the  mutual  relations  of  the  can- 
didates remained  so  pleasant.  I  respect  Mr.  Morrison  politically 
and  socially,  and  am  proud  to  say  we  are  friends,  and  sincerely 
hope  we  may  ever  be  friends.  [Cheers.]  As  to  the  other  gentle- 
man who  was  my  opponent  for  a  time,  I  can  say  nothing  against 
him,  nor  would  I  want  to.  Mr.  Tree  and  myself  lived  neighbors 
for  many  years  in  Chicago,  and  I  have  always  had  the  highest 
respect  for  him.  He  made  as  good  a  contest,  coming  late  into  the 
field  and  being  a  little  short  of  votes,  as  he  could  make.  For  him, 
I  have  nothing  but  respect.  In  conclusion,  gentlemen,  I  desire 
to  say  that,  no  matter  what  may  have  occurred  during  this  contest, 
it  has  been  carried  on  in  a  spirit  of  fairness.  No  such  contest 
has  ever  been  known  in  this  country  before,  and  it  has  appeared 
strange  to  me  that  there  has  been  so  little  bitterness  and  excite- 
ment exhibited.  It  is  remarkable,  I  say,  in  a  contest  which  has 
lasted  so  long  and  been-so  close,  that  there  is  so  little  bitterness 
of  feeling  displayed,  and  I  desire  to  say  that,  in  representing  the 
people  of  this  State  of  Illinois  in  the  United  States  Senate,  I  shall 
ever  try  to  do  that  which  seems  to  me  to  be  my  duty — represent- 
ing my  party  and  my  constituents  fairly  and  honestly.  [Cheers.] 
I  leave  here  having  no  bitter  feeling  towards  any  one  who  may 
have  opposed  me.  I  respect  a  man  who  will  stand  by  his 
creed  and  his  friends,  and  1  expect  no  more  from  others  accorded 
to  me.  If  I  go  to  Washington,  I  do  not  go  there  with  any  fire 
burning  in  my  bosom,  or  feeling  of  antagonism  toward  any 
party  or  the  present  Administration.  I  shall  endeavor  to  repre- 
sent you  fairly  and  honestly,  and  stand  by  you  in  all  which  I 
believe  to  be  right.  Gentlemen,  again  I  thank  you  —  I  tender 
you  my  most  profound  thanks.  I  have  not  before  repaid,  nor 
can  I  repay,  you  for  the  manner  in  which  you  have  stood  by 
me  in  this  Legislature  and  State.  I  shall  ever  remember  it, 
and  endeavor  to  prove  worthy  of  the  trust  this  day  confided  in 
me.  Thanking  you  again,  I  hope  you  will  learn  in  the  future 
that  the  wrong  man  has  not  been  elected."  [Applause  and 
cheers.] 

The  Hon.  Perry  Logsdon  and  W.  I.  Larash  called 
at  the  headquarters  of  Gen.  Logan  on  the  after- 
noon of  May  20th,  and  before  taking  their  leave, 


42  LOGAN'S  LETTER  TO  THE  AUTHOR 

the  General  requested  Mr.  Larash  to  be  the  bearer 
of  the  following  letter  addressed  to  the  author: 

LELAND  HOTEL,  SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.,  May  20th,  1885. 
HENRY  CRASKE — My  Dear  Sir:  The  election  is  over  and  the 
victory  is  ours.  To  the  Thirty-Fourth  Representative  District  are 
we  indebted  for  the  vote  that  gave  us  the  majority  in  the  Legisla- 
ture, and  to  you,  iny  dear  sir,  there  is  much  due  for  the  organiza- 
tion and  success.  You  were  the  first  man  who  suggested  to  me 
the  possibility  of  carrying  the  district.  I  wrote  you  then,  saying 
the  plan  was  a  good  one.  Of  course  great  credit  is  due  to  all  our 
friends  who  aided  in  carrying  out  the  program,  from  whom  I 
would  not  wish  to  detract  anything,  but  to  you  I  give  the  credit 
as  the  originator  of  the  plan  which  was  a  success,  and  to  you  I 
now  return  my  grateful  acknowledgements. 

Your  Friend, 

[Signed]  JOHN  A.  LOGAN. 

[See  facsimile  on  opposite  page.] 


Uuvt  Horn. 

/,v<*^-- 


>^^r 
^7C     .-<#*, 


PREVALENCE  OF  THE  INSPIRATION.  45 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
PREVALENCE  OF  THE  INSPIRATION. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  following  letters  and  items 
that  the  idea  of  electing  a  Republican  was  quite 
prevalent  among  the  active  Republican  workers  of 
the  district: 

The  following  letter  was  received  on  April  20th,  by 
Jacob  Hammond,  postmaster  at  Rushville,  from  John 
Waner,  of  Birmingham,  Schuyler  county: 

April  19,  1885. 
JACOB  HAMMOND,  Rushville,  111.: 

Dear  Sir:  As  everything  is  Democratic,  have  we  not  got  a 
good  chance  to  elect  a  Republican  in  place  of  Mr.  Shaw  (de- 
ceased), to  the  House  of  Representatives  and  make  Logan,  U.  S. 
Senator?  I  have  been  thinking  that  we  could  defeat  the  Demo- 
cratic nominee  if  every  working  Republican  in  the  district  was 
posted,  and  would  work  on  the  sly,  and  get  every  Republican  out 
on  the  afternoon  of  May  6th,  we  could  defeat  the  Democratic 
nominee. 

I  have  n't  talked  to  any  person  yet,  and  will  not  until  I  hear 
from  you.  You  do  n't  want  more  than  two  or  three  in  each 
township  to  know  anything  about  it,  and  let  them  be  the  right 
kind  and  I  know  it  will  work.  I  think  anything,  except  stealing 
or  murder,  would  be  honorable  to  do  to  elect  a  Republican,  if 
that  would  elect  J.  A.  Logan  senator. 

I  may  be  a  little  "off  ",  in  your  estimation,  but  I  would  as  soon 
see  Jeff.  Davis  elected  as  to  see  Logan  defeated.  Jeff.  Davis  may 
die,  and  I  want  Logan  there,  when  the  "Rebels"  disgrace  the 
flag  by  lowering  at  half-mast  to  honor  a  d — d  rebel;  as  they  did 
for  that  traitor,  Thompson.  My  language  is  not  sufficient  to  do- 
the  subject  justice.  Yours,  JOHN  WANER. 


46  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

W.  W.  Potts,  of  Rushville,  in  a  conversation  with 
Maj.  B.  0.  Gillam,  suggested  the  possibility  of  carry- 
ing the  district,  and  asked  the  Major  to  see  the  author 
in  regard  to  the  matter.  Maj.  Gillam  approached  me 
on  Thursday,  April  23d,  and  said:  "Harry,  can't  we 
do  something  to  carry  this  district?"  He  was  told 
that  something  was  being  done  and  was  cautioned  to 
keep  still. 

In  Mason  county,  Mr.  Theodore  Bell  considered  the 
matter  seriously.  He  wrote  the  following  letter  to 

Hon.  Jacob  Wheeler: 

TOPEKA,  ILL.,  April  25,  1885. 

FKIEND  JAKE:  I  believe,  with  the  proper  amount  of  system- 
atic work  all  over  the  district,  we  can  elect  a  Republican  on  the 
6th  of  May.  My  plan  is  to  have  the  Republicans  come  to  the 
polls  to  vote  late  in  the  day,  so  that  the  Democrats  can't  rally 
on  us.  This  can  be  done  by  having  a  good  trusty  Republican 
in  every  neighborhood  to  notify  the  Republicans  and  bring 
them  to  the  polls.  These  are  busy  times  with  the  farmers,  and 
they  won't  come  to  vote  unless  urged  to  come;  and  there  has 
been  very  little  said  about  the  election  and  hundreds  of  voters 
in  the  district  do  n't  know  on  what  day  the  election  is  called. 
The  Democrats  will  be  napping,  and  if  we  are  wide-awake  we 
will  "get  there." 

Write  me  what  you  think  of  this.     I  would  work  this  up  all 
over  the  district  if  I  had  the  money  to  spend,  but  I  have  not. 
Very  truly  yours, 

THEO.  BELL. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  foregoing  that  this  spirit 
was  agitating  some  of  the  Republicans  all  over  the 
district.  In  Virginia,  Cass  county,  on  Monday  even- 
ing, April  27th,  the  following  gentlemen  met  at  Dr.  S. 
Colladay's  office,  namely:  Dr.  Colladay,  Reuben 
Lancaster,  Charles  B.  Gatton,  and  James  B.  Black. 
The  question  was  raised  as  to  the  feasibility  of  carry- 
ing the  district  for  the  Republican  party.  It  was 


PREVALENCE  OF  THE  INSPIRATION.  47 

determined  that  Mr.  Black,  Mr.  Lancaster,  and  Mr. 
Gatton  should  go  to  Springfield  next  day,  the  28th, 
for  the  purpose  of  interviewing  Hon.  Perry  Logsdon 
on  the  subject.  This  explains  the  presence  of  these 
gentlemen  at  the  meeting  in  Gen.  Logan's  room,  on 
the  evening  of  April  28th. 

It  has  been  the  aim  of  the  author  to  place  upon  the 
Roll  of  Honor  the  name  of  every  Republican  who 
was  engaged  in  the  work,  and  to  give  each  one  the 
full  measure  of  praise  that  is  justly  due  him.  If  any 
one  is  omitted,  it  is  the  fault  of  memory  and  not  the 
intentional  ommission  of  the  author. 


48  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER.' 


CHAPTER  IX. 

CAMPAIGN  IN  CASS  .COUNTY. 

The  following  is  a  letter  received  from  Hon.  F.  M. 
Davis  in  regard  to  the  campaign  in  the  Beardstown 
precinct: 

BEARDSTOWN,  ILL.,  July  15,  1885. 
HENRY  CRASKE,  Eushville,  111.: 

DEAR  SIR  :  At  your  request,  I  send  you  the  particu- 
lars of  the  election  held  at  Beardstown,  on .  May  6th, 
1885,  for  Representative  to  the  Legislature  from  the 
Thirty-Fourth  District. 

I  would  state  that  the  first  information  I  received 
in  the  matter  was  a  visit  to  my  home  by  yourself  and 
Col.  Asa  C.  Matthews,  on  the  Sunday  preceding  the 
election.  So  short  was  your  visit  that  no  one 
suspected  the  mission  you  were  on.  Upon  your 
information  that  John  T.  Beekman  was  our  candidate, 
and  to  carry  out  the  instructions  of  the  circular  you 
gave  me,  I  went  to  work  immediately.  On  Monday 
evening,  Wm.  H.  Weaver  was  the  candidate.  On 
Tuesday  .evening,  a  meeting  was  called  at  T.  K. 
Condit's  house,  and  the  following  persons  were 
present:  T.  L.  Ma  thews,  T.  K.  Conclit,  Alex.  Forsyth, 
C.  Pilger,  and  F.  M.  Davis,  of  Beardstown,  and  Charles 
Condit,  of  Arenzville.  After  talking  the  matter  over, 
it  was  agreed  that  I  should  attend  to  the  distribution 
of  the  tickets,  exercising  the  greatest  care  that  none 


CAMPAIGN  IN  C-lt'J.  -i3 

but  staunch  Republicans  receive  the  tickets.  Instruc- 
tions were  also  given  that  none  should  go  near  the 
polls  sooner  than  4  o'clock,  p.  jr.,  which  progamme 
was  carried  out  to  the  letter,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  Republicans  wJio  came  from  the  country. 

At  12,  M.,  only  twenty-seven  votes  had  been  cast. 
At  1  o'clock,  the  Democrats  at  Ashland  telephoned 
to  the  Democratic  Committee  here  that  tickets  had 
been  found  bearing  the  name  cf  W.  H.  Weaver;  but 
that  no  such  tickets  had  been  voted,  so  far.  The 
Democratic  Committee  replied  that  it  would  riot 
amount  to  anything;  that  no  one  was  voting  here;  that 
only  forty  votes  were  polled,  and  there  was  no  use  to 
give  it  any  attention,  as  Leeper  was  sure  of  election. 

I  gave  tickets  to  several  Republicans  who  could 
keep  a  secret,  to  be  given  to  Republicans  who  were 
working  around  at  different  places"  in  the  city;  and  by 
4  o'clock,  there  was  more  winking,  as  one  Republican 
would  meet  another,  than  I  ever  saw.  Mr.  Alex. 
Forsyth  and  W.  C.  Brown  were  appointed  to  supply 
the  railroad  men  with  tickets,  and  they  performed 
this  duty  well.  C.  Pilger's  duty  was  to  watch  the 
voters  from  the  country  and  send  them  b.ack  to  the 
country  precincts,  which  duty  he  performed  accept- 
ably, by  sending  home  on  the  double-quick,  some 
of  the  voters  who  voted  at  Bluff  Springs  precinct. 
The  vote  out  there  (only  one  majority  for  Leeper) 
tells  the  story. 

Up  to  4  o'clock,  the  Democrats  had  not  found  out 
that  we  had  a  candidate  in  the  person  of  W.  H. 
Weaver.  At  that  time,  they  were  convinced  that 
something  was  up,  and  they  went  to  work  with  all 
their  might.  But  so  still  had  the  Republicans  kept 


50  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPERS 

their  secret,  that  the  die  was  irrevocably  cast.  Several 
Democrats  were  told  at  this  time,  and  "Weaver  tickets 
handed  them,  which  they  voted,  on  being  told  that  his 
election  would  elect  John  A.  Logan  to  the  U.  S.  Senate. 

This  precinct,  which  in  November  gave  Cleveland 
Electors  sixty-six  majority,  gave  Weaver  a  majority  of 
eighty.  The  official  vote  is  as  follows:  Weaver,  354,; 
Leeper,  274;  total,  628. 

Some  of  the  Democrats  were  very  angry  on  receipt 
of  news  of  Weaver's  election;  but  a  great  many  were 
glad,  and  so  expressed  themselves;  saying  that 
Logan  was  the  choice  of  the  people  of  the  whole 
State  and  ought  to  be  elected,  as  he  was  such  a  brave 
general  and  grand  statesman. 

Yours,  respectfully,  F.  M.  DAVIS. 

-ASHLAND,  ILL.,  July  14th,  1885. 

H.  CRASKE. — (Dear  Sir:  By  your  request  I  will 
give  a  few  details,  or  happenings,  of  the  election  here 
on  May  6th,  1885,  in  this  noted  district,  the  Thirty- 
Fourth,  in  regard  to  the  Weaver  vs.  Leeper  campaign 
for  Representative. 

On  Monday  before  the  election,  T  went  to  Havana 
(by  way  of  Virginia)  to  visit  my  sister  who  was  at  the 
time  dangerously  sick.  While  I  was  waiting  for  my 
train  at  Virginia,  I  was  informed  of  the  plan  by 
Reuben  Lancaster,  of  that  place.  He  wanted  me  to 
take  the  tickets  and  come  back  and  work  our  precinct. 
As  I  was  obliged  to  go  to  Havana,  i  prevailed  on 
him  to  go  to  Ashland  that  night,  and  place  the  tickets 
in  the  hands  of  Wm.  S.  Douglas. 

While  I  was  still  in  Virginia,  I  met  the  Democratic 
candidate  for  Representative.  The  first  words  he 
spoke  was  to  accuse  me  of  working  some  scheme  to 


CAMPAIGN  IN  CA88.  51 

defeat  him;  and  after  I  had  gone  to  the  depot,  he 
and  his  friend,  Jack  McDonald,  came  there  to  inter- 
view me.  I  assured  them  that  if  I  was  working  such 
a  scheme  I  would  endeavor  not  to  "  give  it  away."  I 
jokingly  retorted  that  it  would  be  a  nice  thing  for  the 
Republican  party  if  such  a  thing  could  be  done.  As 
the  train  was  late  and  they  were  still  uneasy,  they 
concluded  to  go  to  Havana  with  me  and  see  what  I 
was  going  to  do..  As  we  passed  through  Snicarte,  a 
plac'e  consisting  of  only  two  'or  three  houses  and  a 
few  corn  cribs  and  is  almost  lost  in  a  desert  of  sand, 
Jack  McDonald  (the  friend  of  the  Democratic  can- 
didate) remarked  to  me  that  he  thought  that  would 
be  a  good  place  for  my  candidate  to  come  to  the  next 
day  after  the  election.  He  seemed  to  think  that 
Snicarte  was  a  very  lonely  place  and  a  good  place 
for  a  defeated  candidate.  I  have  never  heard  whether 
Leeper  ever  went  there  or  not.  After  reaching 
Havana,  the  first  man  I  found  was  Lawyer  Brown.  I 
informed  him  of  their  business  and  put  him  on  their 
track  to  throw  them  off,  if  possible.  This  he  (Brown) 
did  completely,  and  they  returned  to  Virginia  the 
next  morning,  feeling  assured  the  coast  was  clear. 

I  returned  home  to  Ashland  the  next  morning,  and 
found  Wm.  Douglas  in  the  height  of  his  glory;  and 
that  afternoon,  his  son  Charles  was  exhibiting  a  fine 
stallion  all  over  the  precinct.  He  was  a  Eepublican 
horse  and,  of  course,  was  only  shown  to  the  Repub- 
licans, as  everybody  knows  a  Democrat  would  not 
have  anything  to  do  with  a  Republican  horse. 
Several  of  us  had  business  in  the  country  at  that 
time,  but  all  in  different  directions,  and  no  suspicion 
was  created  to  alarm  Democrats. 


52  -    "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

All  went  lovely  until  about  10  o'clock  on  the  day 
of  the  election,  when  they  received  a  telegram  to  look 
out, — that  the  Republicans  were  going  to  spring  a 
candidate;  but  we  baffled  them  by  abusing  the 
saloons,  threatening  to  prosecute  them  for  keeping 
open  doors  on  election  day.  We  protested  that 
saloons  had  to  be  closed  on  all  election  days.  While 
we  were  parleying  over  that,  they  forgot  all  about 
the  election  until  1  o'clock,  when  another  telegram 
came  stating  that  there  was  surely  a  Republican 
candidate  out,  and  that  they  must  go  to  wrork  at  once; 
but  they  could  not  believe  it  as  there  had  been  only 
three~  Republican  votes  during  the  day.  They,  how- 
ever, got  to  pushing  us  too  hard  and  we  saw  we  had 
to  get  up  some  excitement  to  keep  them  quiet,  so  we 
commenced  on  this  little  scheme :  There  was  an  old 
foundation  of  a  wind-mill  which  had  about  five  feet 
of  water  in  it,  and  the  little  boys  were  fishing  almost 
continually  there.  The  project  was  to  take  a  baby's 
dress  and  cut  a  few  holes  in  it  with  a  knife  and 
sprinkle  it  with  blood,  and  have  some  good-sized  boy 
fish  it  out,  and  pretend  he  saw  the  dead  body  in  the 
water.  It  was  all  done  in  less  time  than  I  have  been 
writing  this.  It  was  a  grand  success.  In  less  than  a 
half-hour  there  were  two  or  three  hundred  people 
crowding  around  the  old  foundation,  expecting  every 
minute  to  see  some  one  rake  up  the  dead  and  murdered 
baby.  Even  the  judges  of  the  election  had  to  take 
their  turns  and  visit  the  place  of  search.  One  very 
amusing  thing  was,  every  Republican  believed  there 
was-  a  baby  there.  After  failing  to  find  it  with  rakes, 
some  one  proposed  to  dip  the  water  out,  so  as  to  be 
sure;  and  in  about  twenty  minutes  there  were  nearly 


CAMPAIGN  IN  CAS8.  53 

a  hundred  buckets  in  operation  pailing  out  the  water. 
There  being  two  or  three  hundred  barrels  of  water 
to  pail  out,  it  continued  until  about  4  o'clock,  when 
some  Republican,  carelessly,  "gave  it  away,"  and 
now  the  ball  commenced  rolling.  Some  of  the  Dem- 
ocrats could  not  believe  there  was  anything  of  it. 
Others  believed  it,  but  had  no  fears  of  a  defeat  and 
bragged  how  easily  they  "caught  on"  and  expressed 
themselves  as  believing  that  they  would  have  been 
defeated  if  they  had  not  found  it  out. 

At  4  o'clock,  there  were  over  ninety  votes  polled 
and  only  three  for  Weaver.  At  6  o'clock,  when  the 
votes  were  counted,  Weaver  was  twenty-two  votes 
ahead.  As  this  precinct  went  thirty-six  Democratic 
last  fall,  this  made  the  Democrats  feel  pretty  blue. 
We  soon  heard,  by  telegraph,  that  Greenview  had 
given  Weaver  a  majority  of  eighty.  Next  came 
Athens,  one  hundred  and  seventy-four  majority  for 
Weaver.  Beardstown,  seventy-six  for  Weaver. 

A  Democrat  was  not  now  to  be  found  and  the  town 
was  full  of  Republicans.  Anvils  were  being  fired, 
flags  were  floating  in  the  breeze,  and  excitement  was 
unbounded.  Every  message  that  came  was  so  much 
for  Weaver,  and  thus  it  continued.  A  great  many  of 
us  kept  up  the  enthusiasm  until  John  A.  Logan  was 
re-elected  U.  S.  Senator.  This  was  our  purpose  all 
the  time;  and  not  until  then  did  we  get  satisfaction. 
The  Democrats  have  not  fully  recovered  yet. 
Whether  they  ever  will  or  not  is  to  be  seen  in  the 
future.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  they  never  will. 

Hoping  this  will  be  of  some  benefit  to  you  and 
that  we  may  win  for  our  "Black  Jack"  what  he 
richly  deserves,  the  presidency  in  1888, 

I  am  yours,  truly,        A.  F.  BURNHAM,  M.D. 


54  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER: 


CHAPTER  X. 

CAMPAIGN  IN  MENAED  COUNTY. 

The  following  is  a  brief  history  of  the  "still  hunt" 
in  Meiiard  county,  as  furnished  me  by  a  prominent 
Republican  of  Petersburg: 

PETEESBURG,  ILL.,  July  16,  1885. 

HENRY  CRASKE,  Esq.: — 'Dear  Sir:  Enclosed  find 
brief  sketch  of  campaign  here:  The  history  of  the 
"still  hunt"  in  Menard  county  may  be  briefly  told. 
On  April  29th,  a  letter  was  received  by  Capt.  S.  H. 
Blane,  from  Henry  Craske,  of  Bushville,  Schuyler 
county,  submitting  the  plan  which  was  afterward 
substantially  adopted  and  carried  out.  In  the  Craske 
letter  was  also  one  from  E.  W.  Mills,  of  Virginia,  Cass 
county,  approving  the  scheme  and  nominating  Capt. 
Blane  for  Representative.  By  same  mail,  a  com- 
munication was  received  from  Dan.  Shepard,  written 
at  Springfield,  requesting  an  interview  at  the  Leland, 
on  the  30th'.'  On  the  day  last  named,  room  14  at  the 
Leland  found  several  gentlemen  assembled,  whose 
conversation  was  not  very  loud.  Captain  Blane 
declined  to  run  and  urged  his  ineligibility  by  reason 
of  holding  the  office  of  State's  Attorney  in  his  county. 
It  was  thought  best  by  those  present  that  Menard 
county  should  furnish  the  candidate.  Several  names 
were  discussed,  among  others  that  of  John  T.  Beek- 


THE  CAMPAIGN  IN  MENARD.  55 

man,  and  it  was  finally  agreed  that  he  should  be  the 
candidate;  but  objections  were  raised  by  some  gentle- 
men from  one  of  the  other  counties  and  it  was 
afterward  agreed  that  another  should  be  selected. 
It  was  left  for  Menard  county  to  select  and  report 
name  to  Wells  Corey,  of  Mason  City,  who  had  agreed 
to  print  the  tickets  and  send  them  by  express  to  the 
different  counties. 

On  the  way  home  on  the  train,  Mr.  Corey  and  Capt. 
Blane  continued  the  question  of  candidate.  Mr. 
Corey  spoke  favorably  of  Capt.  Weaver  on  account  of 
his  extensive  acquaintance  in  three  of  the  counties. 
Arriving  at  Petersburg  by  the  evening  train  after  the 
shades  of  night  had  fallen,  the  telephone  was  called 
into  requisition  and  by  a  sort  of  "  cipher-alley  "  con- 
versation a  small  coterie  of  Republicans  were  soon 
in  consultation.  Three  names  were  prominently 
before  the  conspirators.  Capt.  Weaver's  was  first  on 
the  list.  He  was  to  be  seen,  urged  to  run,  and,  in 
case  of  his  refusal,  then  the  second  was  to  be  seen; 
and,  in  case  of  his  refusal,  the  third  was  to  be  called 
on.  A  committee  of  two  called  at  Capt.  W.  H. 
Weaver's  residence  and  were  invited  in,  the  Captain 
being  in  another  room.  Upon  recognizing  the  voices 
of  the  two  callers,  he  came  in,  sans  coat  and  vest, 
sans  boots,  sans  shirt  collar,  and  smilingly  apologized 
for  the  situation,  and  invited  his  friends  to  be  seated. 
Drawing  their  chairs  up  close  to  the  Captain,  one  on 
each  side,  the  night  prowlers  opened  on  their  un- 
suspecting victim.  The  political  .  situation  was 
broached,  Gen.  Logan's  chances  discussed,  his  sacri- 
fice in  the  late  presidential  election  referred  to,  and 
about  the  time  Capt.  Weaver's  blood  began  to  warm 


50  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

up  at  the  recollection  of  St.  John's  villainy,  and  Dr. 
.Burchard's  infirmity,  the  subject-matter  of  the  visit 
was  introduced.  The  Captain  was .  taken  unawares. 
He  pleaded  poverty, -~^e  was  too  poor  to  make  the 
race,  and  could  not  affojrcl  to  .drop  his  business  and 
incur  the  necessary  expanse  of  the  race. 

These  objections  were  promptly  met  by  the  per- 
sonal assurance  that  the  campaign  shoiild  not  cost 
him  a  dollar.  He  urged  the  names  of  other  Repub- 
licans. Each  name  was  objected  to,  when  compared 
with  his  own,  as  not  the  best,  all  things  considered. 
The  great  importance  of  the  situation  was  urged  upon 
him;  the  far-reaching  effects  of  success,  if  obtained; 
the  great  consolation  there  would  come  from  snatch- 
ing victory  from  the  jaws  of  defeat;  and  how  much 
of  the  poison  of  last  fall's  humiliation  would  be 
extracted  if  Gen.  Logan  was  sent  back  to  the  U.  S. 
Senate.  The  Captain  fully  entered  into  the  spirit  of 
these  matters,  and  finally  said,  if  the  two  friends  who 
were  urging  his  candidacy,  really  considered  it  a  duty 
to  the  Republican  party  and  Gen.  Logan  for  him  to 
run,  he  would  consent  to  lead  the  forlorn  hope,  and 
take  the  consequences,  for  better  or  for  worse. 

In  five  minutes,  the  "still  hunt"  began.  A  few  of 
the  faithful  were  let  into  the  secret,  but  "  nium  's  the 
word."  The  most  of  the  actual  canvassing  was  done 
the  two  days  and  nights  previous  to  the  election.  The 
tickets  were  printed  by  that  prince  of  Republicans, 
Wells  Corey,  and  by  him  sent  to  the  several  dis- 
tributing points.  Tickets  were  sent  out  by  private 
messengers  to  the  prope'r  men  in  each  precinct,  with 
instructions  that  no  other  word  by  mail  or  otherwise 
would  be  sent;  but  each  man  was  to  work  up  his  own 


THE  CAMPAIGN  IN  HENARD.  57 

precinct,  without  asking  further  questions.  To  get 
the  tickets  and  word  to  the  several  precincts  without 
creating  suspicion  was  the  most  difficult  part  of  the 
campaign.  John  Purkapile,  a  wounded  soldier,  who 
of  late  years  had  been  buying  butchers'  stock  for  the 
Petersburg  butchers,  was  called  in,  given  the  "  coun- 
tersign" and  directed  to  be  ready  on  a  certain  morn- 
ing to  proceed  to  certain  points  in  the  east  part  of 
the  county.  The  morning  designated  found  Purkapile 
on  his  blue -roan  pony,  with  a  cattle -whip  coiled 
around  the  horn  of  his  saddle,  and  with  a  couple  of 
shepherd  dogs  following.  He  started  on  his  journey, 
making  frequent  inquiries  for  "butchers'  stock,"  of 
all  Democratic  travelers  he  met  on  the  road.  It  is 
estimated  that  the  number  of  beeves  looked  at  on 
that  trip  and  conditionally  bargained  for  would  fill  a 
respectable  army  contract.  According  to  instructions, 
Purkapile  rounded  up  about  noon  at  "Bob"  Young's, 
near  Indian  Point.  "Bob,"'  by  the  way,  is  an  old 
soldier  and  had  been  in  Petersburg  a  day  or  so 
previously,  and  when  Purkapile  rode  up  it  was  some- 
what surprising  to  "Bob's"  family  that  he,  obviously, 
hadjbeen  expecting  a  visitor.  After  dinner,  Purkapile 
meandered  on  eastward  to  the  residence  of  Henry  C. 
Graham,  where  another  order  was  delivered,  and 
from  there  to  E.  C.  Bead's,  in  the  Sweetwater  precinct, 
Purkapile  and  his  shepherd  dogs  wended  their  way 
intent  on  bringing  in  a  herd  of  fat  cows,  if  any  could 
be  bought  "right," — this  being  very  difficult  to  do 
that  day. 

John  Willson,  an  insurance  agent,  was  sent  out  into 
other  parts  of  the  county  to  deliver  tickets.  It  was 
somewhat  remarkable  to  the  Democrats  how  quickly 


58  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

this    insurance    agent    would    get    through,    talking 
insurance. 

One  Republican,  Eli  Keep,  in  the  west  part  of  the 
county,  had  a  great  deal .  of  trouble,  apparently,  in 
finding  the  kind  of  seed  corn  he  wanted.  For  two 
days  and  nights  prior  to  the  election,  he  was  riding 
about  the  country,  sampling  everyone's  seed-corn,  and 
declaring  he  was  greatly  discouraged  at  the  unsound- 
ness  of  the  "sprout."  As  he  has  made  no  complaint 
lately,  we  presume  he  found  some  that  grew. 

Saul  Austill,  an  old  war-horse  of  the  "sixties,"  at 
Sweetwater,  found  his  health  a  "little  off"  for  a 
couple  of  days  before  the  election,  and  loitered 
around  the  postoffice,  where  he  met  a  great  many  men 
from  the  country.  He  apparently  wanted  to  buy  a 
work-horse;  as  he  followed  a  number  of  farmers  to 
their  wagons  and  was  examining  their  horses'  limbs 
and  occasionally  got  in  and  drove  the  team  around  a 
little. 

In  the  Greenview  precinct,  "Bob"  Killion  kept 
the  boys  quiet  and  in  line  until  the  pre-arranged  hour 
of  5  o'clock,  when  they  were  turned  loose  to  the  great 
consternation  of  the  "uiiterrified."  It  was  afterward 
remarked  by  some  of  the  observing  Democrats,  who 
can  see  better  out  of  their  hindsights  than  they  can 
out  of  their  foresights,  that  Homer  Tice  had  to  salt 
his  cattle  in  a  distant  pasture  several  times  the  last 
few  days  before  the  election. 

In  the  Tallula  district,  John  T.  Beekinan,  George 
C.  Spears,  "Dock"  Glenn,  John  Q.  Spears,  C.  C.  Judy, 
and  John  Haley  Spears  moved  on  the  enemy  in 
splendid  style.  Dr.  Robertson,  an  old-time  Bourbon, 
remarked  frequently  during  election  day,  that  it 


TH\E  CAMPAIGN  IN  MENARD.  59 

seemed  to  him  the  Republicans  were  just  completely 
whipped  out,  as  they  did  not  have  enough  spunk  left 
to  even  bring  out  a  candidate.     To  these  remarks,  the 
boys  returned  very  vague  answers,  telling  the  old 
.  doctor  that,  since  Cleveland  had  been  elected,  they 
had  concluded  to   "let  the  tail  go  with  the  hide." 
When  the  time  came  and  the  Republicans  began  to 
vote,  the  old  doctor  remarked  that  they  ought  to  have 
brought  out  their  man  sooner  and  let  him  receive  a 
respectable  vote.     The  next  morning  he  concluded 
the  "respectable  vote"  was  lacking  for  the  other  man. 
In  the  Petersburg  precinct,  the  strictest  secrecy 
was  observed.     But  few  knew  anything  of  the  scheme. 
Men,  usually  active  in  political  affairs,  were  ignorant 
of  what  was  going  on;  and,  when  the  Democrats  be- 
came somewhat  suspicious,  they  naturally  plied  these 
old-time   politicians  with   questions,   watched    their 
movements,  and  neither  hearing  nor  seeing  anything 
about  them  out  of  the  usual  routine,  settled   down 
complacently  in  the  assurance  that  all  was  right.    The 
secret  conspirators  were  sorely  tried  to  keep  a  careless 
and  indifferent  exterior,  and  in  passing  each  other  on 
the  street  adopted  Burns'  idea  to  "look  as  ye  were  na 
looking  at  me."     Secret  caucuses  were  held  late  at 
night  in  the  third  story  of  a  certain  furniture  store, 
where,  by  the  dim  light  of  a  turn-down  lamp,  showed 
the  queer  surroundings,  where  "  coffins  stood  'round 
like  open  presses,"  which,  while  they  did  not  show 
the   "dead  in  their  last  dresses,"  suggested  to  the 
caucus  the  possibility  of  a  corpse  being  in  prepara- 
tion to  occupy  one  of  them  in  the  very  near  future. 
The  manner  in  which  this  upper  story  was  reached 
without    arousing    suspicion,    the    way    each    fellow 


00  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPEP" 

would  "syne  up  the  back  stile,  and  let  uae  body  see," 
can  better  be  imagined  than  described.  The  many 
hair-breadth  escapes  from  discovery  were  too  numer- 
ous to  relate.  Secrecy  had  to  be  enforced,  and  yet 
the  Kepublican  voters  had  to  be  notified. 

One  instance  will  illustrate  the  manner  of  getting  " 
out  the  Petersburg  vote.  Ed.  Goodman,  a  plasterer, 
whitewashes  and  brick-mason,  took  his  whitewash 
bucket  on  his  arm  the  morning  of  the  election,  and 
with  pole  and  brush  on  his  shoulder  started  out 
through  the  resident  part  of  town  apparently  looking 
for  a  job.  When  he  called  at  a  Eepublican's  house 
he,  of  course,  made  his  business  known  "secretly  and 
passed.  Did  he  meet  a  Democrat,  his  inquiry  was 
for  a  job,  which,  if  ready  for  him  would  be  declined 
under  some  pretext,  until  some  future  day. 

There  was  little  talk  on  the  streets  or  in  public 
places.  It  is  impossible  to  give  the  names  of  all  who 
actively  worked  out  the  scheme.  There  was  one 
watch-word  which  never  failed  to  enlist  the  most 
lethargic  Eepublican,— the  name  of  John  A.  Logan. 
When  the  plan  was  revealed  to  a  "  doubting  Thomas," 
the  assurance  that  Logan  was  personally  interested 
and  was  expecting  every  Eepublican  to  do  his  duty, 
was  sufficient  to  put  him  to  work.  The  potency  of 

Logan's  name  was  remarkable.     Its  mention  set  on 

fire  the  latent  enthusiasm  of  every  man  to  whom  the 

subject  was  introduced. 

In  Athens    precinct,   Henry   C.   Graham ,  "Bob" 

Young,  "Buck"  Williams,  Capt.  Hurt,  W.  S.  Hurt, 

Jeff.  Johnson,  John  Kinhart,  J.  H.  Kincaid,  John  A. 

Kincaid,  E.  Y.  Kincaid,  and  many  others  managed 

the  campaign  skillfully. 


THE  CAMPAIGN  IN  MENAKD.  61 

The  names  of  Petersburg  workers  are  too  numerous 
to  mention.  Among  them  were  the  following:  C.  R. 
Collin,  D.  M.  Bone,  W.  E.  Park,  John  Purkapile,  Ed. 
Goodman,  George  Freeze,  Capt.  McDougall,  John 
Harper,  A.  Golden,  John  Willson,  S.  H.  Blane,  N.  W. 
Branson,  George  Morris,  W.  T.  Beekman,  and  Capt. 
Weaver. 

It  is  thought  worthy  of  note  that  the  colored  voters 
in  Petersburg  were  faithful  to  their  convictions.  In 
order  to  bring  them  in  full  force  to  the  polls  it  was 
only  necessary  to  tell  them  John  A.  Logan  needed 
their  votes.  Yours,  — . 


THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPERS 


CHAPTER  XI. 
ANECDOTES. 

A  TALLULA  DEMOCRAT  VOTES  FOE  WEAVER. 

This  anecdote  conies  from  Tallula,  Menard  county, 
as  told  by  that  staunch  Republican,  G.  C.  Spears,  in 
answer  to  a  request  for  the  particulars: 

TALLULA,  ILL.,  July  27,  1885. 

HENRY  CRASKE,  RUSHVILLE,  ILL. — (Dear  Sir:  Yours 
of  the  21st  received  in  due  time.  Should  have 
answered  sooner  but  have  been  quite  sick  for  the  last 
week,  better  this  morning. 

You.  wished  me  to  write  you  about  my  Democratic 
friend  voting  the  Republican  ticket.  I  have  no 
objection  to  giving  the  circumstances,  but  must  with- 
hold the  name,  as  he  is  very  sensitive  on  that  subject. 

"VVe  were  working  very  quietly  and  the  Democrats 
not  suspecting  anything.  My  friend,  W.  C.  Roe,  one 
of  our  mischievous  Republicans,  said,  "I  am  going 
to  make  '  Sam '  vote  for  Weaver."  Seeing  him  stand- 
ing on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  he  (Roe)  ap- 
proached him  thus:  "Sam,  have  you  voted  yet?" 
"  No.  There  is  no  use  of  voting,  for  there  is  no  oppo- 
sition, and  our  man  will  be  elected  any  way.  But  I 
ought  to  vote,  for  I  went  to  school  to  that  man." 
"  Well,  I  think  so,  too.  Come  on.  I  will  go  with  you 
and  vote,"  giving  him  a  ticket  (a  Weaver  ticket  folded 
up),  so  they  walked  to  the  polls,  "  Sam "  voting  first, 


ANECDOTES.  63 

then  Koe.  After  voting,  he  saw  some  Weaver  tickets. 
«  What  does  this  mean?  Is  Weaver  running?"  Roe 
replied,  "Of  course,  he  is;  and  you  voted  for  him.' 
He  exclaimed,  "That  beats  the  d— 1!" 

I  can  join  you  a  hearty  hurrah  for  John  A.  Logan 
for  the  next  president. 

Respectfully,  G.  C.  SPEARS. 

CAPT.  WEAVER'S  STORY. 

There  is  a  story  extant  that  is  very  amusing  in 
regard  to  an  aged  Republican  of  Mason  county,  who 
went  to  Havana  early  on  the  morning  of  May  6th. 
Upon  inquiry,  he  was  assured  by  the  Democrats  that 
Mr  Leeper  was  the  only  candidate  running,  and  they 
insisted  that  he  must  vote  for  him.     He,  however, 
declined  to  do  so;  but  they  continued  to  insist,  and, 
usin"   some  of  their  persuasive  methods,  finally  in- 
duced him  to  vote  for  Leeper.     The  old  Republican 
started  for  home  about  5  o'clock,  P.  M.     On  the  road, 
he  met  a    number  of    Republican    neighbors    who 
informed  him  they  were  going  to  town  to  vote, 
told  them  it  was  no  use,  as  they  would  have  to  vol 
for  Leeper,  as  he  was  the  only  candidate  that  was 
running.    The  neighbors  told  him  he  was  mistaken; 
for  W  H  Weaver  was  running,  and  they  were  going 
in  to  'vote  for  him.    The  aged  Republican  now  got 
very  angry  at  himself  for  being  gulled  so  easily,  anc 
induced  to  vote  for  the  Democratic  candidate 
went  home  loathing  himself,  and  determined  to  have, 
revenge.    He  got  a  rope  from  the  barn  and  went  to 
the  orchard  and  putting  the  rope  around  his  neck 
threw  the  end  over  a  limb  of  the  tree,  laid  hold  of 
with  both  hands  and  drew  it  tight,  then  eased  up  and 


64 


;  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER: 


yelled  out,  "Yote  the  Democratic  ticket  will  you? 
g — d  d — m  you."  He  would  then  tighten  the  rope, 
ease  up,  and  draw  himself  again  until  the  flesh 
weakened  and  he  finally  took  a  solemn  oath,  that  if 
the  good  Lord  would  forgive  him  this  time  for  voting 
the  Democratic  ticket,  he  would  never  do  so  any  more. 


A  WELL-EARNED  TRIBUTE.  65 


A  DESEEVED  TRIBUTE. 

To  the  Republicans  of  the  Thirty-Fourth  Senatorial 
District,  the  author  wishes  to  say,  that  to  you,  all 
honor  is  due  for  the  high  state  of  discipline,  organi- 
zation, and  obedience,  without  which  success  would 
not  have  been,  possible.  To  you,  therefore,  the  thanks 
of  the  Republicans  of  the  Nation  are  due.  For  by 
your  prompt  action  011  the  6th,  the  grand  result 
desired  and  hoped  for  was  successfully  accomplished 
on  the  19th  day  of  May,— the  election  of  Hon.  John 
A.  Logan  to  the  United  States  Senate.  And  through 
you  has  been  demonstrated  the  fact  that  thorough 
disciplined  organization  and  obedience  are  the  neces- 
sary adjuncts  to  a  successful  political  campaign  under 
difficulties.  You  have  also  demonstrated  the  fact 
that  the  Republicans  can  do,  and  ever  have  done  their 
most  efficient  work  without  hope  of  pecuniary  reward 
or  official  position. 


NOTE.— Does  not  this  campaign  show  conclusively  that  in 
accomplishing  results,  good  generalship  and  practical  politics  are 
far  superior  to  that  peculiar  kind  known  as  "sentimental  politics" 
which  exists,  to  some  extent,  in  the  Republican  party?  Are  there 
not  Republicans,  who,  believing  in  the  justice  of  their  cause, 
think  it  must  be  victorious,  that  if  not  victorious  now,  it  surely 
•will  be  by  and  by,  and  are  thus  willing  to  wait? 

To  those  "goody,  goody"  fellows  allow  me  to  say,  that,  although 
we  had  right  and  at  least  25,000  majority  of  the  voters  of  the 
State  for  the  Republican  party,  General  Logan  would  not  have 
been  elected  to  the  IT.  S.  Senate  had  it  not  been  for  that  brave  and 
gallant  little  band  of  practical  Republicans,  whose  good  fortune 
permitted  them  to  live  in  the  Thirty-Fourth  Senatorial  District 
of  Illinois. 


66  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER: 


PRESS  NOTES. 

BEFORE  LOGAN'S  ELECTION. 

The  Chicago  TIMES,  May  8,  1885,  says: 
The  result  of  the  special  election  in  the  Thirty-Fourth  Legisla- 
tive District  of  Illinois  is  a  surprise  which  is  not  without  decid- 
edly amusing  features,  though  it  can  hardly  be  expected  that  the 
Democrats  will  be  able  to  appreciate  the  comic  side  of  it.  The 
district  was  admitted  to  be  hopelessly  Democratic.  In  November 
last  every  county  in  it  gave  a  Democratic  majority,  the  aggregate 
for  the  district  being  2,050.  "When  the  vacancy  occurred,  three 
or  four  weeks  ago,  the  majority  party  nominated  a  Mr.  Leeper 
to  fill  it.  The  Republicans  apparently  accepted  the  situation, 
and,  so  far  as  the  public  knew,  had  no  purpose  to  contest  the 
election.  Mr.  Leeper — should  not  the  name  have  been  Sleeper? 
— and  his  party  certainly  accepted  the  situation — and  quite  too 
confidently,  as  the  outcome  proves.  When  election  day  came,  a 
few  Democrats  wrent  to  the  polls  in  a  perf unctory  sort  of  way,  and 
supposed  they  had  elected  their  man.  But  suddenly,  two  or  three 
hours  before  the  closing  time,  the  Republicans  began  to  swarm 
around  the  voting  places,  and,  by  strict  attention  to  business  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  day,  succeeded  in  "snowing  under"  the 
Democratic  ballots  in  the  boxes,  and — from  the  returns  at  hand 
at  this  writing — electing  a  candidate  of  their  own.  The  surprise 
and  disgust  of  Mr.  Nye  wrhen  the  "Heathen  Chinee"  brought  out 
his  reserves,  in  the  celebrated  contest  recorded  by  Bret  Harte, 
only  faintly  foreshadowed  the  feelings  of  the  Thirty-Fourth 
District  Democrats  when  the  trick  of  their  opponents  was  dis- 
covered; for  Mr.  Nye  "went  for  that  Heathen  Chinee,"  and 
obtained-satisfaction  and  redress,  but  what  balm  or  solace  is  there 
for  the  abused  confidence  and  bruised  feelings  of  the  sufferers 
from  this  lost  game  of  ballot-boxing. 

A  modern  proverb  asserts  that  "All 's  fair  in  politics,"  as  well  as 
in  war.    The  ambuscade  and  surprise  in  the  Thirty-Fourth  Dis- 


I'RESS  NOTES. 


trict  was  certainly  as  sharp  a  piece  of  strategy  as  has  been 
executed  in  either  field  lately;  and  the  Republicans  who  planned 
Td  clrried  it  to  success  have  a  right  to  felicitate  themselves 
upon  their  shrewdness,  the  exceeding  skill  with  winch  they  con- 
cealed their  purpose  from  the  drowsy  enemy  until  the  appointed 
moment,  and  the  energy  that  brought  their  forces  into  the  field 
Td  won  the  victory  before  "night  or  Blucher"  could  come  to  the 
rescue  of  the  bewildered  foe. 

Turnin°-  from  the  exultant  Republicans,  the  situation  of  the 
Democrats  of  Illinois,  after  this  unexpected  defeat,  is  found  to 
be  most  humiliating.    Four  months  ago  their  legislative  repre- 
sentatives assembled  at  Springfield,  exactly  equal  in  numbers  1 
their  opponents,  but  with  the  prestige  of  the  national  victory  in 
November  to  give  them  strength  and  confidence  m  their  ability 
to  elect  a  United-States  Senator.    The  circumstances  and  condi- 
tions rendered  that  confidence  not  unreasonable,  and  it  certainly 
pervaded  the  party  throughout  the  State.    A  caucus  selected  a 
candidate,  but  as  soon  as  the  balloting  began  it  became  apparent 
that  this  chosen  standard-bearer  was  not  able  to  command  the 
full  party  vote,  or  to  secure  the  odd  man  without  whom  an 
election  was  impossible.    The  opposing  candidate  was  equally 
unfortunate,  some  Republicans  stubbornly  refusing  to  vote 
him-  and  it  was  generally  admitted  that  this  defection  was  of  a 
character  which  would  insure  the  election  of  any  Democrat  who 
could  get  the  votes  of  all  the  members  chosen  as  Democrats. 
From  this  situation  a  systematic  procrastination  and  avoidance 
plain  legal  duties  was  developed  by  both  parties  in  the  legisla- 
ture    No  effort  was  made  by  either  side  to  break  the  "deadlock 
or  to  change  the  conditions  of  the  contest  in  any  way  that  mighi 
result  in  breaking  it.    The  captains  chosen  at  the  beginning  held 
on  to  the  empty  honor  of  their  positions,  each  seemingly  pref  e 
rin-  the  chance  of  the  other's  success  in  some  accidental  shuffl< 
of  the  cards  to  any  action  that  would  leave  his  party  free  to  seek 
victory  under  another  leader. 

At  length  a  change  has  come.     The  death  of  a  Democratic 
member  opened  the  way  for  it,  and  the  Republican  leaders,  by  a: 
exploit  of  almost  unparalleled  audacity,  have  elected  his  sucess 
in  the  face  of  a  vastly  superior  but  feebly  commanded  host, 
senatorial  prize,  which  at  almost  any  time  in  the  last  dozen  weeks 
seemed  to  be  within  easy  reach  of  a  united  Democratic  force,  lu 


68  "  THE  NIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

now  at  the  disposal  of  the  Republicans.  The^ responsibility  for 
its  loss  seems  to  rest  wholly  upon  the  incapable  and  selfish 
leaders  of  the  Democrats  who,  in  imbecile  inactivity  or  absorbed 
in  personal  ambitions,  -have  permitted  themselves  and  the  party 
to  be  outgeneraled  and  outwitted  by  an  alert  and  energetic  foe. 
The  disaster  seems  to  be  irremediable.  To  the  party  in  Illinois 
and  in  the  country  at  large,  the  failure  to  elect  a  United-States 
Senator  from  this  State  will  appear  something  in  the  nature  of  a 
calamity;  and  the  mortification  and  anger  with  which  it  must  be 
regarded  will  be  very  certain  to  cause  serious  discomfort  for 
those  to  whom  it  is  chargeable. 

The  Indianapolis  (Ind.)  JOURNAL,  May  18,  says: 
The  duty  of  the  Illinois  Legislature  is  now  so  palpable,  how- 
ever, and  the  outcome  of  its  action  so  important,  not  only  to  that 
but  other  States,  that  people  not  residents  of  Illinois  may  be 
excused  for  urging  prompt  and  decisive  action  on  this  point 
Gen.  John  A.  Logan,  by  his  great  services  in  war  and  his  eminent 
abilities  as  an  active,  vigilant  member  of  the  United  States  Senate, 
has  established  a  reputation  as  a  careful,  strong  man,  peculiarly 
fitted  for  the  occasion  now  at  hand.  In  addition  to  his  services  as 
a  soldier  and  legislator,  ho  stands  before  the  Illinois  Legislature 
as  the  exponent  of  the  National  Republican  party.  He  cannot 
be  set  aside  without  harm  to  the  party,  and  to  attempt  it  or  to 
allow  it  would  be  the  most  stupendous  folly.  He  went  into  the 
last  National  campaign  a  strong  man,  and  closed  it  .with  the 
prestige  of  greater  popularity  than  he  ever  enjoyed.  A  man 
who  could  do  what  he  did  is  the  man  for  the  occasion,  and  his 
presence  in  the  Senate  is  demanded  by  the  Republican  party  of 
the  entire  Nation. 

The  New  York  TIMES,  May  18: 

Gen.  John  A.  Logan  should  be  elected  at  12  o'clock  to-morrow, 
or  so  soon  thereafter  as  the  call  of  the  roll  can  be  made. 

The  Philadelphia  PRESS: 

If  the  Republican  members  of  the  Illinois  Legislature  heed 
the  unanimous  voice  of  their  party's  press,  they  will  elect  Gen. 
Logan  at  once  to  the  United  States  Senate.  Some  of  the  Inde- 
pendent papers  which  have  heretofore  opposed  him  are  also 


PRESS  NOTES.  69 

eT       his  admirable  bearing  during  the  long  contestant 
n  election.    It  is  a  good  time  now,  when  so  many 

"^  to  ,"e  G«Tf.»    There  Sl,ould  be  no  further  del.y  In  mak.ng 
this  result  certain. 

The  Cleveland  LEADER: 

The  Chicago  MORNING  NEWS,  May  13: 

This  is  the  Republican  opportunity  Victory  is  placed  w^thm 
their  grasp  through  Logan's  tenacity  of  purpose  and  the  political 
sagacfty  Ld  adroitness  which  organized  the  success  in  the 
Thirty-Fourth  District. 

The  Illinois  STATE  JOURNAL,  May  14: 

The  interest  felt  in  the  contest  has  been  National  and Jiasbeen 
largely  due  to  the  anxiety  felt  for  the  re-election  of  Gen.  Logan 
himself,  as  well  as  the  desire  to  see  a  Republican  chosen. 

The  St.  Louis  GLOBE-DEMOCRAT,  May  16, 1885: 

In  the  whole  history  of  American  politics  there  is  soarcely^o 
nonev  nor  office  to  give  or  to  promise  as  the  reward  of  fide! 


thp  roll-call  every  time  and  are  more  strongly  attache 
X  than  ever  before.    And  yet  we  are  told  by  some  that  Logan 
is  a  "spoils"  politician;  that  he  holds  office  only  by  the  power  of 
patronage  and  all  that  sort  of  thing.    Where  are  his  spoil 
Which  one  of  his  supporters  can  hope  for  an  ,     ce  m  r. 
his  devotion?    To  ask  the  question  is  to  answer  it.    The  spec 


7€  "THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

at  Springfield  on  the  Republican  side  is  a  magnificent  one.  It  is, 
on  one  hand,  a  grand  tribute  to  Logan's  worth  as  a  man  and  as  a 
party  leader,  and  it  is,  on  the  other  hand,  a  still  grander  testi- 
monial to  the  unselfish  devotion  of  the  true  men  who  espoused 
Logan's  payless  cause  last  January,  and  who  will  stand  by  it  until 
it  is  crowned  by  sticcess,  be  it  next  Tuesday  or  next  Christmas. 
All  honor  to  Logan  and  all  honor  to  the  Logan  men  at  Springfield. 

The  NATIONAL  TRIBUNE,  Washington,  D.C.,  May  21: 

Contrary  to  general  expectation  nothing  was  accomplished 
last  week  toward  electing  a  Senator  from  Illinois.  The  Legisla- 
ture met  in  joint  session,  and  Gen.  Logan  had  103  Republicans 
present  ready  to  vote  for  him,  but  Speaker  Haines  refused  to 
recognize  Weaver  because  his  credentials  had  not  been  formally 
presented.  The  Democrats  made  a  most  astonishing  departure, 
by  suddenly  dropping  their  candidates  and  voting  almost  solidly 
for  a  man  named  Lambert  Tree,  of  Chicago,  whose  sole  recom- 
mendation is  that  a  number  of  years  ago  he  married  a  large 
quantity  of  Chicago  real  estate,  which  has  become  quite  valuable. 
It  is  a  burning  disgrace  to  the  party  that  it  should  turn  for  an 
instant  from  such  men  as  Morrison  and  Black,  to  attempt  to  put 
another  mere  money-bag  in  the  Senate.  There  is  reason  to  hope 
that  Gen.  Logan  will  be  elected  before  this  paper  reaches  our 
readers.  Mr.  "Weaver  has  presented  his  credentials  in  regular 
form,  and  has  been  sworn  in.  This  gives  the  Republicans  a 
majority  of  one  on  joint  ballot,  and  if  all  are  true  to  their  duty — 
as  all  promise  to  be — the  election  of  Gen.  Logan  is  assured. 

AFTEK  LOGAN'S  ELECTION. 

The  St.  Louis  GLOBE-DEMOCRAT,  May  20,  1885: 

Grand  old  Illinois!  All  honor  to  the  Logan  Legion  at  Spring- 
field. The  victorious  103  are  worthy  successors  of  the  glorious 
806.  Illinois  is  a  very  pronounced  Logan  State;  we  said  so  five 
months  ago.  The  men  who  elected  John  A.  Logan  to  the  Senate 
yesterday  paved  the  way  to  the  triumph  of  the  Republican  party 
in  1888.  If  the  question  of  Gen.  Logan's  election  to  the  Senate 
had  been  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  Republicans  of  the  whole 
•cowntry,  the  result  would  have  been  a  practically  unanimous 


I'SESS  NOTES.  71 

decision  in  his  favor.  The  Illinois  Legislature  deserves  thanks, 
therefore,  for  having  recognized  the  importance  of  doing  what  is 
at  once  both  an  advantage  to  the  State  and  a  gratification  to  the 
party  everywhere. 

Chicago  TRIBUNE,  May  20, 1885: 

Gen.  John  A.  Logan  was  yesterday  elected  United  States 
Senator  from  Illinois.  When  the  roll  was  called  it  was  found 
that  there  were  no  absentees  in  eitherhouse.  The  announcement 
that  204  members  of  the  joint  assembly  were  present  was  received 
with  cheers.  When  the  roll  was  again  called  for  Senator,  the 
Republicans  spoke  one  after  another  for  John  A.  Logan.  The 
Democrats  refused  to  vote.  Sittig  was  silent  when  his  name  was 
reached.  The  roll-call  was  finished  and  102  votes  had  been  cast 
for  Logan — within  one  of  the  number  necessary  to  elect  him. 
On  the  call  for  absentees  Sittig  voted  for  John  A.  Logan,  giving 
him  the  necessary  103  votes.  As  soon  as  the  enthusiasm  which 
greeted  the  announcement  of  Sittig's  vote  had  subsided  the  Dem- 
ocrats were  permitted  to  have  their  say.  Their  only  chance  was  to 
try  to  cause  a  stampede  from  Logan  to  some  other  Republican;  so 
after  voting,  most  of  them,  for  Tree,  they  flew  over  to  Farwell, 
and  gave  that  gentleman  ninetyjsix  votes.  The  Republicans, 
however,  stood  solidly  by  Gen.  Logan,  who  was  finally  declared 
elected.  Th^e  was  great  enthusiasm  last  night  all  through  the 
State  over  the  result  of  the  contest,  and  Senator  Logan  received 
letters  from  all  parts  of  the  country  congratulating  him  and  con- 
veying predictions  that  he  Mras  to  be  the  next  President  of  the 
United  States. 

The  re-election  of  John  A.  Logan  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  just  as 
soon  as  the  Republicans  secured  a  majority  of  votes  on  the  joint 
ballot  was  an  event  equally  honorable  to  the  successful  candidate 
and  to  the  Republican  members  of  the  Illinois  Legislature.  On 
Gen.  Logan's  part,  it  was  a  glorious  victory,  earned  by  a  straight- 
forward, manly,  and  stubborn  fight;  on  the  part  of  the  Repub- 
lican members,  it  was  an  evidence  that  neither  corruption  nor 
intrigue  could  impair  the  loyalty  of  any  man  who  had  been 
elected  as  a  Republican.  The  contest  thus  closed  is  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  in  political  records.  When  the  Legislature  met 
the  two  parties  were  equally  divided  on  joint  ballot.  Gen.  Logan 
was  the  choice  of  the  Republican  caucus,  but  personal  enmity 


72  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

deprived  liiin  of  two  votes  to  which  he  was  entitled.  Col. 
Morrison  was  the  nominee  of  the  Demoratic  caucus,  but  was  like- 
wise unable  to  command  the  full  vote  of  his  party.  Neither 
candidate,  however,  could  have  been  elected  as  the  Legislature 
was  originally  constituted,  even  if  he  had  received  all  the  votes  of 
his  party.  There  was  a  deadlock  which  nothing  short  of  treach- 
ery and  bribery  could  apparently  break-  The  interests  of  the 
rival  candidates  were  watched  with  the  utmost  vigilance,  and  both 
Democrats  and  Republicans  alternately  refrained  from  voting 
and  thus  broke  a  quorum  whenever  the  other  side  acquired  a  tem- 
porary advantage.  Then  death  came  in  as  a  factor  in  the  fight. 
First,  the  Republicans  lost  a  member— Representative  Logan  of 
the  Nineteenth  District.  But  the  Democrats  could  not  summon 
a  quorum  in  the  joint  assembly,  and  there  was  still  no  election. 
A  Republican  successor  to  Representative  Logan  was  elected  and 
the  tie  restored.  Then  the  Democrats  lost  Senator  Bridges  of 
the  Thirty-Seventh  District,  but  a  Democratic  successor  was 
chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  his  death,  and  the  status 
remained  the  same.  The  turning  point  came  when  Representa- 
tive Shaw,  Democrat  from  the  Thirty-Fourth  District,  died. 
Here  was  an  opportunity  for  the  Republicans  to  secure  a  majority, 
and,  though  the  district  in  which  the  vacancy  occurred  was  Dem- 
ocratic by  2,000  majority,  the  Logan  managers  cajfcured  it  and 
elected  Weaver,  a  pronounced  Logan  man. 

NATIONAL  TRIBUNE,  Washington,  D.  C.,  May  28,  '85: 

There  is  a  strong  satisfaction  everywhere  at  the  manner  in  which 
the  struggle  in  Illinois  has  terminated.  Gen.  Logan's  victory  is  a 
victory  for  the  old  soldiers,  whose  illustrious  representative  and 
champion  lie  is,  and  it  is  a  victory  for  the  middle  classes  of  the 
country  against  the  corporations  and  monopolies,  which  are 
threatening  to  gain  complete  control  of  the  Senate.  Gen.  Logan 
is  a  poor  man,  and  this  is  one  of  his  highest  claims  to  honor. 
He  has  devoted  his  magnificent  abilities  wTholly  to  the  service  of 
the  people,  and  given  them  what,  if  applied  to  the  advancement 
of  his  own  interests,  would  have  made  him  a  millionaire  many 
times  over.  The  people  everywhere  are  beginning  to  thoroughly 
understand  this,  and  it  has  made  John  A.  Logan  the  foremost 
man  in  the  Republican  party,  as  it  will,  in  all  probability  make 
him  the  foremost  man  in  the  Nation  in  1888.  Nothing  but  his 
death  can  prevent  his  nomination  for  President,  and  almost 
certain  election. 


FfiESS  NOTES.  73 

The  Indianapolis  JOURNAL,  May  20,  1885: 
The  re-election  of  Senator  John  A.  Logan  is  a  victory  worthy 
to  be  celebrated  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm.  The  contest  had 
assumed  a  National  character,  and  the  triumph  of  the  man  and 
of  the  party  is  only  second  in  importance  and  influence  to  the 
election  of  a  President. 

The  Chicago  TRIBUNE,  July  29,  1885: 

We  wish  to  call  the  attention  of  the  readers  throughout  the 
State,  and  of  Democrats  especially,,  to  the  present  condition  of 
affairs  in  the  old  Sixth  Representative  District,  the  one  which 
turned  from  its  evil  ways  not  long  ago  and  sent  "Weaver  to  the 
Legislature  and  Logan  to  the  United  States  Senate.  Reliable 
agriculturists  from  that  region  frequently  visit  Chicago,  and  from 
them  facts  of  the  greatest  interest  have  been  secured.  "We  are 
informed  that  throughout  the  counties  of  Mason,  Sclmyler, 
Menard,  and  Cass — all  in  the  Sixth  District  before  the  new 
apportionment — a  degree  of  prosperity  is  now  felt  never  before 
known  in  the  history  of  the  region,  and^that  the  crops,  when  fully 
garnered,  promise  to  surpass  any  product  of  past  years.  Imme- 
diately after  the  election,  corn  seemed  to  take  a  new  start  and  has 
attained  a  remarkable  hight,  while  the  ears  are  now  filling  out 
beautifully.  To  see  three  or  four  large  ears  on  one  stalk  is 
nothing  uncommon,  and  the  total  yield  will  be  something 
enormous.  Wheat  has  thrived  equally  well;  there  is  less  chess 
in  it  than  formerly,  and,  in  order  to  learn  what  a  weevil  looks 
like,  the  farmers  have  to  get  down  an  old  Agricultural  Depart- 
ment report.  Oats,  rye,  and  other  small  grains  are  not  behind. 
The  potato  crop  will  be  something  stupendous;  the  tops  fairly 
cumber  the  ground,  the  yield  beneath  is  not  less  exceptional,  and 
such  is  the  freedom  of  the  plants  from  insect  enemies  that  as 
high  as  50  cents  has  been  paid  in  Menard  county  for  a  potato-bug 
as  a  curiosity.  The  same  exceptional  vigor  seems  to  have  extended 
to  animal  life;  Schuyler  county  calves  look  like  yearlings;  there 
never  were  such  shoats  before  in  Cass,  and  in  Mason  some  of  the 
mule  colts  have  shown  such  points  that  they  will  be  trained  for 
the  race-course  and  the  steeplechase  instead  of  the  plow.  As  for 
chickens  and  turkeys — well,  this  season's  pullets  are  laying  two 
eggs  a  day  already,  and  one  thrifty  but  unscrupulous  husband- 
man is  said  to  have  sold  a  young  turkey  hatched  in  March  to  a 


74  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER." 

circus-man  for  an  ostrich.  And  so  it  goes,  all  over  the  district. 
Nature  seems  to  have  been  in  a  gracious  mood  since  the  special 
election,  and  the  people  of  the  district  are  reaping  the  benefits  of 
her  good  will.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  call  attention  to  the 
moral.  It  rests  with  the  people  of  the  counties  named  to  deter- 
mine whether  or  not  the  present  state  of  things  shall  continue. 
The  responsibility  will  come  upon  them  again  with  the  next 
election. 


WELCOME  TO  LOGAN.  75 


WELCOME  TO  LOG-AN. 

BY  THE  UNION  LEAGUE  CLUB. 

The  Union  League  Club,  of  Chicago,  tendered  Gen. 
Logan  a  reception  which  he  accepted  for  the  evening 
of  May  26th.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  and 
President  Adams  delivered  the  address  of  welcome. 
Gen.  Logan  was  then  introduced  and  responded  as 
follows: 

MR.  CHAIRMAN  AND  GENTLEMEN  :  I  would  be  less  than  a  man 
if  I  should  fail  to  appreciate  the  compliment  extended  to  me  on 
this  occasion  by  the  Union  League  Club  of  Chicago.  This  club 
is  an  association  of  gentlemen,  whose  primary  purpose  is  to  aid  in 
the  preservation  of  the  integrity  of  the  Union  and  to  promote  the 
prosperity  of  all  the  people  by  an  honest  administration  of  the 
Government.  [Applause.]  These  objects  should  have  the  in- 
dorsement of  every  honest  citizen,  and  I  hope  I  may  be  believed 
when  I  declare  they  are  most  dear  to  my  own  heart.  I  feel  the 
strongest  attachment  for  my  country.  My  most  fervent  prayer  is 
for  its  prosperity  and  permanence.  I  have  from  my  earliest  man- 
hood exerted  my  best  energies  and  abilities  in  its  behalf.  If  in 
so  doing  I  have  failed  in  any  degree  in  securing  the  approbation 
of  my  fellow-citizens,  I  have  at  least  the  consolation  of  knowing 
that  the  rectitude  of  my  intentions  has  not  thus  far  been  called  in 
question.  [Applause.]  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  enter  into  the 
history  or  details  of  our  recent  Senatorial  contest.  Neither  shall 
I  speak  of  the  trials  through  which  we  passed  or  the  perils  which 
were  averted.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  victory  is  ours.  [Applause.] 
To  the  steadfastness  of  our  people  and  the  integrity  of  the 
Republican  representatives  in  our  Legislature  is  the  credit  for 
our  success  due.  [Applause.]  I  wish  to  disclaim  the  idea  that 
the  gatherings  of  people  at  the  different  towns  and  villages  along 


70  "  THE  MIGHTY  SLEEPER:' 

the  road  from  Springfield  to  Chicago  and  the  grand  reception 
tendered  by  the  people  the  night  of  my  arrival  here  or  this 
banquet  are  considered  by  me  as  intendea  to  be  personally 
complimentary  to  myself,  but  recognitions  of  the  principles 
underlying  the  Republican  party  for  which  this  contest  was  made. 
[Applause.]  A  contest  for  a  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate  has 
seldom  caused  much  popular  solicitude,  but  the  protracted 
controversy,  the  fact  that  the  parties  were  equally  divided,  and 
the  loss  of  members  of  the  Legislature  by  death — all  conspired  to 
bring  the  contest  prominently  to  the  notice  of  the  people 
throughout  the  United  States.  That  the  opponents  of  the 
Republican  party  had  become  at  this  early  day  tired  of  the 
management  of  National  affairs  in  the  hands  of  their  own  friends 
is  shown  in  the  fact  that  they  actually  staid  away  from  the  polls 
in  the  Thirty-fourth  Senatorial  District  [laughter  and  applause], 
giving  us  a  majority,  so  that  a  Republican  might  again  be  chosen 
to  represent  the  State  of  Illinois  in  the  United  States  Senate. 
[Applause.]  This  has  caused  the  Republicans  throughout  the 
country  to  discover  the  turn  of  the  tide  in  favor  of  Republican 
principles,  and  the  hearts  of  all  true  patriots  to  leap  with  joy. 
[Applause.]  To  the  energy  and  fidelity  of  the  Republicans  of 
this  district  are  we  indebted  for  this  result.  [Applause.] 

If  I  may  be  permitted  to  speak  of  myself  in  connection  with 
this  contest,  I  will  say  that  I  am  very  much  gratified  that  again  I 
have  the  honor  of  representing  in  the  United  States  Senate  this 
great  State  with  a  population  of  over  3,000,000  intelligent  people, 
with  an  area  of  56,650  square  miles,  comprising  36,256,000  acres 
of  land,  with  more  miles  of  railroad  than  any  other  State,  and  a 
canal  that  must  become  a  National  highway  in  the  future  [cheers], 
whose  citizens  possess  property  valued  at  $3,210,000,000,  being 
the  third  State  in  the  Union  in  the  production  of  coal  and  second 
in  the  number  of  universities  and  colleges,  and  occupying  the 
same  high  place  in  the  number  of  scholars  enrolled  at  school. 

Illinois  is  varied  in  its  agricultural  products,  its  trade  and  man- 
f acturing  industries,  presenting  to  view  a  landscape  as  beautiful 
as  a  picture,  dotted  all" over  with  towns,  villages  and  cities;  washed 
on  either  side  by  the  two  great  rivers  of  our  country;  with  the 
city  of  Chicago  enthroned  on  the  margin  of  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  lakes  on  the  continent,  possessing  a  growth,  energy,  and 


WELCOME  TO  LOO  AN.  77 

-  prosperity  which  are  the  marvels  of  the  age.  Why  should  a  man 
not  feel  a  pardonable  pride  in  having  been  selected  as  a 
representative  of  such  a  State  against  combinations  of  patronage 
and  money,  without  the  influence  or  use  of  either?  The  people 
of  this,  my  native,  State  have  been  more  than  kind  to  me  in  the 
past.  Whether  I  shall  be  able  to  fill  the  full  measure  of  my 
public  duty  my  future  must  disclose.  I  can  only  promise  that  I 
shall  in  all  things  try  to  be  faithful  to  their  great  interest  and  do 
no  act  that  shall  cause  them  to  regret  the  choice  they  have  just 
made.  [Applause.]  That  I  may  be  able  to  satisfy  my  constituents 
of  the  honesty  of  my  intentions  and  to  continue  in  strict  devotion 
to  my  duties  as'  one  of  their  representatives  is  my  most  ardent 
desire. 

To  the  members  of  the  Union  League  Club,  Mr.  Chairman, 
through  you,  I  return  my  thanks,  and  with  a  heart  full  of 
gratitude  I  bow  to  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  [Applause.] 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS  URBANA 

977.3C8SC  C002 

A  COMPLETE  AND  AUTHENTIC  HISTORY  OF  THE 


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